it has killed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it has killed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something has resulted in death or destruction, often in a factual or narrative context. Example: "The disease has spread rapidly, and unfortunately, it has killed many people in the affected areas."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Twice, it has killed its crew.

The Economist

It has killed thousands of people in its drive to establish an Islamic state.

BBC

Since then, it has killed off or sold 90percentt of its business software portfolio.

The New York Times

It has killed jobs.

The New York Times

It has killed millions of American consumers".

The New Yorker

It has killed no opponents.

The Guardian - Opinion

It has killed more than 2,400.

The Washington Post

Israel says it has killed 183 militants.

The Guardian

It has killed kings and poets.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It has killed the peace camp".

The New York Times

It has killed or evicted countless wild animals.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it has killed" when you want to emphasize the direct action of causing death or destruction. Ensure the subject 'it' is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "it has killed" when the causation is indirect or uncertain. Instead, use phrases like "it contributed to" or "it was a factor in" to reflect a more nuanced relationship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has killed" functions as a verb phrase indicating a completed action that resulted in death. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it has killed" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something has caused death, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's frequently found in news and media sources, as well as scientific reports, conveying information about events that have resulted in fatalities. While generally neutral in register, the phrase emphasizes direct causation. When using "it has killed", ensure the subject 'it' is clearly defined and consider alternatives like "it resulted in fatalities" for more formal contexts or when the causation is indirect. Avoid misattributing causation and always aim for precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it ended

A simple way to show something ended

it caused deaths

A more direct and general way of expressing that something led to deaths.

it claimed lives

Emphasizes the loss of life in a more figurative or dramatic way.

it resulted in fatalities

Focuses on the outcome of death rather than the action of killing.

it led to the demise of

Highlights the end or failure of something due to a specific cause.

it brought about the end of

Focuses on the action bringing about the end of something.

it extinguished

A more poetic way to describe the end of life or something abstract.

it exterminated

Suggests systematic or widespread killing, often of a specific group.

it annihilated

Implies complete destruction, often on a large scale.

it terminated

A more formal way to indicate the end of something, including life.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to saying "it has killed"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "it resulted in fatalities", "it caused deaths", or "it claimed lives".

How do I use "it has killed" in a sentence?

Use "it has killed" to describe something that has directly caused death. For example, "The virus has spread rapidly, and it has killed many people".

Is "it has killed" formal or informal?

"It has killed" is generally neutral and can be used in various contexts, including news reports and formal writing, but consider a phrase like "it resulted in fatalities" for more formal writing.

What is the difference between "it has killed" and "it caused death"?

"It has killed" is more direct and active, while "it caused death" is slightly more passive. Both convey a similar meaning, but the former emphasizes the action of killing while the latter emphasizes the result.