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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
humankind
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The word "humankind" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a noun used to refer to all human beings collectively, as distinct from other animals, and generally serves as a synonym for "humanity" or "mankind". For example, "My hope is that humankind can learn to live in peace."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
"While I was on board I soon realised that the boot room, where we all changed our clothing and left our shoes, had turned into a scene of social chaos," McEwan said, describing how the eminent scientists, who down the hall were gathering to talk earnestly about the future of the humankind, were also capable of stealing each others' footwear and regarding their colleagues with deep distrust.
News & Media
My family love to sing, so we'd make a lot of noise, but just before we all ski off the mountain, I'd have Bach's St Matthew Passion blasting down the valley, celebrating the beauty that humankind can turn its hand to when it isn't killing itself.
News & Media
Everyone has the right to enjoy culture, participate in a creative and enriching leisure at the service of the progress of humankind.
News & Media
Extolled by leading grovellers as one of the finest honours available to humankind, or half of it, the OM was founded in 1902, it says on the royal website, by the gross libertine, Edward VII, who set the number of beneficiaries, for reasons too royal to bother with, to 24 at any time.
News & Media
The point is that Europe is working together in a thrilling intellectual exploration that can have no conceivable commercial or political payoff but could, in some still intangible way, enlighten all humankind.
News & Media
I believe humankind has looked at climate change in that same way: as if it were a fiction, happening to someone else's planet, as if pretending that climate change wasn't real would somehow make it go away," he told the UN meeting.
News & Media
All of this misses or trivialises the real, systemic significance of climate change: that humankind is encountering the finitude of our planet, confronting the need to share and protect our endowment from nature, and realising that much will have to change to make this possible.
News & Media
Once temperatures rise enough, agricultural productivity plummets and humankind is in real trouble.
News & Media
He thinks chemical companies need to be similarly forthright, and explain to the public that they "actually benefit humankind".
News & Media
This change in wingspan suggests that natural selection could indeed be at work and that, when faced with new threats from humankind, these birds might be evolving in response.
News & Media
If its gases were suddenly released, the explosion (a "turnover", in geology-speak) could be "the biggest catastrophe humankind has experienced," perhaps suffocating or incinerating the 2m people who live on the shore, says Jarmo Gummerus, a Finnish engineer.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "humankind" when you want to emphasize the collective nature of humanity as a whole, especially in discussions about global issues or the future of the species.
Common error
While "mankind" has traditionally been used to refer to the human race, "humankind" is a more inclusive and neutral term. Opt for "humankind" to avoid potential gender bias in your writing.
Source & Trust
88%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
Humankind functions primarily as a collective noun, denoting the entirety of the human species. It is used to make general statements about humans as a whole. Ludwig examples illustrate its usage in discussions about climate change, scientific advancements, and the future of society. Ludwig AI confirms it is a proper noun.
Frequent in
News & Media
46%
Science
43%
Formal & Business
3%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
2%
Reference
0%
Social Media
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "humankind" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun that refers to the entire human species. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is particularly common in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. When writing, it is advisable to use "humankind" instead of "mankind" to avoid gender bias. Alternative phrases include "the human race" and "humanity". This word serves to make broad generalizations about humanity, as the provided examples display.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
humanity
Emphasizes the qualities and characteristics of being human.
mankind
A traditional term for the human race, though sometimes considered gender-specific.
the human race
Focuses on the biological aspect of humans as a species.
human beings
Highlights the existence of individuals within the human species.
Homo sapiens
The scientific classification for the human species.
people
A more general term, referring to individuals or groups of humans.
the world's population
Focuses on the number of people living on Earth.
the global community
Emphasizes the interconnectedness of humans worldwide.
society
Refers to the organized structures and interactions of human beings.
mortals
A more philosophical term emphasizing the finite nature of human life.
FAQs
How do I use "humankind" in a sentence?
"Humankind" functions as a singular noun, referring to the entire human race. For example, "The future of humankind depends on our actions today."
What's the difference between "humankind" and "humanity"?
Is "humankind" a formal word?
"Humankind" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is generally more common in formal writing, academic discussions, and news reports.
What can I say instead of "humankind"?
Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "the human race", "humanity", or "people".
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
88%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested