is a scourge

USAGE SUMMARY

"is a scourge" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a person or thing that is causing great suffering or distress, such as in the sentence, "Poverty is a scourge on society."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

It is a scourge.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Gambling addiction is a scourge.

The New York Times

It is a scourge with many symptoms and causes.

The New York Times

Type 2 diabetes is a scourge in the Valley.

The New York Times

The imposition of religious representativeness in politics is a scourge.

The New York Times

"Domestic violence is a scourge in our community.

The Guardian

Hunger is a scourge that has many causes.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

It is a scourging for them, as surely as Jesus was scourged at the pillar.

Huffington Post

I was a scourge".

The New Yorker

"It's a scourge," she said.

The New York Times

They are a scourge to be avoided.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is a scourge" to describe problems that have widespread negative impacts. For example, "Misinformation is a scourge on public discourse."

Common error

Avoid using "is a scourge" in overly casual or informal situations. It's a relatively strong phrase, so reserve it for serious issues. For example, saying "Traffic is a scourge" might be an overstatement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is a scourge" functions as a predicative expression, attributing a quality of being severely harmful or destructive to a subject. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its use in declaring something as a major cause of suffering.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is a scourge" is a phrase used to describe something that causes widespread suffering or harm. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in news and media to highlight serious issues. While versatile, it is best reserved for formal or neutral contexts where a strong condemnation is appropriate. Alternatives like "is a curse" or "is a plague" can offer similar but slightly different nuances. Be mindful of overusing this phrase in casual contexts to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is a curse

Replaces 'scourge' with 'curse', emphasizing the negative and unwanted nature of something.

is a plague

Substitutes 'scourge' with 'plague', highlighting widespread and devastating effects.

is a blight

Uses 'blight' instead of 'scourge', suggesting something that damages or spoils.

is a bane

Uses 'bane' instead of 'scourge', suggesting something that causes distress or annoyance.

is a menace

Replaces 'scourge' with 'menace', focusing on the threatening quality of something.

is a burden

Substitutes 'scourge' with 'burden', emphasizing the heavy and troublesome nature of something.

is a tragedy

Uses 'tragedy' instead of 'scourge', highlighting the disastrous and sorrowful nature of something.

is a disaster

Replaces 'scourge' with 'disaster', focusing on the sudden and calamitous impact of something.

is a calamity

Substitutes 'scourge' with 'calamity', emphasizing the disastrous and unfortunate nature of something.

is a catastrophe

Replaces 'scourge' with 'catastrophe', focusing on the calamitous impact of something.

FAQs

How can I use "is a scourge" in a sentence?

You can use "is a scourge" to describe something that causes widespread suffering or harm. For example, "Poverty is a scourge that affects millions globally."

What are some alternatives to "is a scourge"?

Alternatives include phrases like "is a curse", "is a plague", or "is a blight", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "is a scourge" in formal writing?

Yes, "is a scourge" is appropriate for formal writing when discussing serious or harmful issues. However, consider the tone and audience to ensure it fits the overall context.

What's the difference between "is a scourge" and "is a problem"?

"Is a scourge" implies a more severe and widespread negative impact than "is a problem". A problem might be localized or less destructive, while a scourge suggests a pervasive and harmful influence.