mortal being

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mortal being" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a human or any living creature that is subject to death, often in a philosophical or literary context. Example: "In the grand scheme of the universe, each mortal being grapples with the inevitability of their own mortality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

He laments that you never can regain the President of your youth & that as you get older you realize that a President is "just a mortal being...no smarter than a few other million people.

The New Yorker

You have looked at the faces of some of those who were your comrades, who turned their eyes away from you because somewhere in their mortal being there lingered the remnants of a sense of shame, always and for ever whispering softly - no to treachery!

Independent

No mortal being seemed capable of sidelining New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, but he proved it was possible by sidelining himself.

Vice

The result is a personal meditation on our flesh-and-blood existence and our mortal being that provokes us to contemplate the brevity and radiance of our own sojourn on earth.  .

Huffington Post

What is a mortal being?

The New Yorker

'Certainly one cannot forget that man is a mortal being,' the Pope said.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Being Mortal is published by Profile (£15.99).

The Guardian - Books

Being mortal is a heroic choice!

The New Yorker

Thus the obverse of "Every man is mortal" is "No man is immortal".

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Wide awake and feeling mortal" are the first words on the first song of his new record, "Feeling Mortal".

The New York Times - Arts

I had been wondering how they'd handle this: How mortal is Jon Snow?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mortal being" in contexts where you want to emphasize the shared human condition of being subject to death and impermanence, particularly in philosophical or reflective writing.

Common error

Avoid using "mortal being" in everyday conversation. Opt for simpler terms like "person" or "human" unless you're aiming for a formal or philosophical tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mortal being" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It identifies a type of entity that is subject to death. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and usable in writing.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mortal being" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to denote an entity subject to death. According to Ludwig AI, it's perfectly acceptable. While relatively infrequent in everyday conversation, its use signals a reflective or philosophical tone, often seen in news, media, and scientific contexts. When writing, consider using simpler terms unless the intent is to highlight the shared human condition or the temporality of existence. Alternatives like "human existence", "earthly existence", and "corporeal being" can provide similar meanings with different shades of emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

human existence

Focuses on the state or condition of being human, emphasizing life's duration and experience.

earthly existence

Highlights the temporary nature of life on Earth, contrasting it with a possible afterlife or spiritual realm.

creature of flesh and blood

Emphasizes the physical and vulnerable aspects of living beings, particularly humans.

corporeal being

Stresses the physical body as the defining feature of existence, highlighting mortality.

temporal life

Focuses on the limited duration of life, emphasizing its fleeting nature.

human condition

Refers to the universal aspects of human existence, including mortality, suffering and joy.

living soul

Highlights the spiritual or animating essence of a being, acknowledging its finite lifespan.

mortal frame

Emphasizes the physical structure of a being as subject to decay and death.

finite being

Underscores the limitations and boundaries of existence, including mortality.

transient life

Highlights the impermanence and fleeting quality of existence, emphasizing its short duration.

FAQs

How can I use "mortal being" in a sentence?

You can use "mortal being" to emphasize the human condition and the inevitability of death. For example, "As a /s/mortal+being, I am subject to death" or "The challenges faced by every /s/mortal+being are similar."

What are some alternatives to "mortal being"?

Alternatives include "human existence", "earthly existence", or "corporeal being", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "mortal being" or "human being"?

"Human being" is a more general term for a person. "Mortal being" emphasizes the fact that humans are subject to death and is often used in more philosophical or reflective contexts. It's often a matter of stylistic choice, based on what facet you want to point out.

What is the difference between "mortal being" and "immortal being"?

"Mortal being" refers to a being that is subject to death, while "immortal being" refers to a being that is not subject to death. This distinction is often central in mythology, religion, and philosophical discussions of life and death.