lives were lost

USAGE SUMMARY

"lives were lost" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that people died during some event or situation. For example, "In the tragic accident, many lives were lost."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

There, 158 lives were lost.

Independent

Many lives were lost.

The Guardian

No lives were lost.

The Guardian - Books

That many lives were lost yesterday alone.

The New Yorker

One million lives were lost.

The Guardian - Travel

Many lives were lost during this campaign.

Princeton University

Fifty-six lives were lost that day.

The Guardian - Sport

No homes or lives were lost.

The New York Times

Each year huge numbers of lives were lost.

Yale University

Thereby no German lives were lost; rather were they saved.

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Did we ever wonder if lives were lost or ruined?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about sensitive events, use the phrase "lives were lost" to convey the gravity and impact of the situation. For example, in reports about natural disasters or conflicts, this phrase is appropriate and respectful.

Common error

Avoid using "lives were lost" in contexts where it might sound overly dramatic or insensitive. For example, in minor incidents or trivial situations, consider using more neutral language to describe the outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lives were lost" functions as a passive construction indicating that deaths occurred as a result of an event or situation. As Ludwig AI indicates, this usage is grammatically correct and commonly found in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lives were lost" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe situations where deaths have occurred, particularly in the context of tragic events or disasters. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various writing scenarios. Its prevalence in news media, academic writing, and scientific reports highlights its versatility and broad acceptance. When using this phrase, it's important to consider the tone and context to ensure it aligns with the overall message. Alternatives like "fatalities occurred" or "people perished" can be used depending on the desired level of formality and emotional impact. Proper use of "lives were lost" demonstrates sensitivity and awareness of the gravity of the situation being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fatalities occurred

This alternative provides a more formal and concise way of indicating deaths.

casualties resulted

This is a common way to report deaths in accidents or disasters.

people perished

This option evokes a sense of tragedy and finality.

victims succumbed

This alternative emphasizes the impact of a specific event or cause.

deaths were recorded

This is a more neutral and factual way to report deaths.

human toll

This phrase focuses on the total number of deaths caused by an event.

losses were sustained

This alternative is frequently used to describe deaths in military or conflict situations.

the deceased

This is a formal way to refer to people who have died, often used in legal contexts.

souls departed

This option has a more spiritual or metaphorical connotation.

life was extinguished

This is a poetic and dramatic way to describe a death.

FAQs

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

You can use "lives were lost" to describe situations where people have died, such as "Many "lives were lost" during the war" or "Several "lives were lost" in the tragic accident".

What is a more formal alternative to "lives were lost"?

A more formal alternative to "lives were lost" is "fatalities occurred". For example, instead of saying ""lives were lost" in the crash", you could say "fatalities occurred in the crash".

Is it appropriate to use "lives were lost" in all contexts?

While "lives were lost" is generally appropriate for serious events, consider using more neutral language in less significant situations. For example, instead of saying ""lives were lost" due to a minor error", you might say "mistakes were made".

What phrases are similar in meaning to "lives were lost"?

Similar phrases include "people perished", "deaths were recorded", and "victims succumbed". The best choice depends on the specific context and the tone you want to convey.