lives lost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lives lost" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the number of people who have died, often in the context of disasters, conflicts, or tragedies. Example: "The report highlighted the devastating impact of the earthquake, with thousands of lives lost in the aftermath."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Lives lost.

The Guardian

Sadly some lives lost.

The Guardian

Thousands of American lives lost".

The Guardian

More young lives lost, I felt.

The Guardian

"He couldn't bear seeing innocent lives lost".

The New York Times

This is about human lives lost".

The New York Times

The lives lost can never be redeemed.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's like a memorial to lives lost.

The New York Times - Arts

Nothing will replace the lives lost.

The New York Times

That may mean even more lives lost.

The Guardian - Opinion

THE most dreadful cost of AIDS is in lives lost.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "lives lost", consider the context and choose language that is respectful and sensitive to the bereaved. Avoid sensationalizing the event.

Common error

Avoid using "lives lost" repeatedly in a way that seems to exploit tragedy for dramatic effect. Seek balance by providing factual information, context, and thoughtful reflection.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "lives lost" is that of a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence, referring to the number of people who have died. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lives lost" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase, denoting the number of deaths resulting from an event or situation. Ludwig AI affirms its widespread applicability across various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, it conveys sorrow or quantifies casualties. While versatile, it's crucial to maintain sensitivity and prevent overuse in sensationalized contexts. Alternative phrases include "fatalities" or "loss of life", depending on the desired nuance. The register is generally neutral, suitable for formal or somber events, as highlighted in examples from reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

loss of life

A more formal and emphatic way to express the same concept.

number of deaths

A more specific and quantifiable way to express the losses.

fatalities

Replaces "lives lost" with a single word emphasizing the fact of death.

casualties

Similar to "fatalities" but often used in the context of war or accidents.

deaths

A simpler and more direct synonym for "lives lost".

lives taken

Emphasizes the cause or agent responsible for the deaths.

those who perished

A formal way to describe people who have died, often in a disaster.

human cost

Focuses on the impact of the deaths on society or humanity.

souls departed

A more poetic and evocative way to refer to those who have died.

untimely deaths

Highlights the premature or unexpected nature of the deaths.

FAQs

How can I use "lives lost" in a sentence?

You can use "lives lost" to refer to deaths in various contexts. For example: "The earthquake resulted in many "lives lost"" or "The memorial commemorated the "lives lost" during the war".

What are some alternatives to saying "lives lost"?

Alternatives to "lives lost" include "fatalities", "casualties", "loss of life", or "deaths" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "lives were lost" or "lives lost"?

"Lives lost" is a noun phrase that needs a verb to function as a sentence. Therefore, "lives were lost" is grammatically correct when forming a complete sentence. "Lives lost" can also function as a subject or object with a verb like "remember" (We remember lives lost).

What is the connotation of "lives lost" compared to "deaths"?

"Lives lost" often carries a stronger emotional weight than the more neutral term "deaths". "Lives lost" is frequently used to emphasize the tragedy or significance of the deaths, while "deaths" is a more general term.