pandemic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pandemic" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an outbreak of a disease that occurs on a global scale, affecting a large number of people. Example: "The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we live and work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Worldwide sales from the two drugs are expected to reach £3bn by January, but the company rejected claims it was exploiting the pandemic – stressing that profits would be much lower once development costs were taken into account.

The Guardian - Business

Alan Hay, of the World Influenza Centre in London, suggested the first wave of illness may have already peaked but could not predict how far levels would fall in this phase of the pandemic.

The Guardian

In the near term, the recent US government order for H1N1 pandemic flu vaccine with a novel adjuvant may suggest there is some hope for approval of Glaxo's Cervarix in the second half.

The Guardian - Business

Only belatedly have the risks of a global pandemic been recognised.

The Guardian - Business

The explanation may be a simple consequence of his early death (caused by the Spanish flu pandemic) or the subsequent fame of Klimt, Kokoschka and others overshadowing his reputation.

The Guardian - Arts

While the pandemic has been fairly mild here, I think it will kill off for ever the notion (among doctors and the public alike) around influenza that "Oh, it's only flu".

The Guardian

The real problem would have been, and still is, a bird flu pandemic.

The Guardian

The chief executive, Andrew Witty, said the company had been preparing for a pandemic for the last three-and-a-half years and had spent more than £1bn to ensure its factories could crank up production at short notice.

The Guardian - Business

Nabarro was involved in dealing with the H5N1 avian flu pandemic of 2005.

The Guardian

In one year during the influenza A H1N1 pandemic a total of 70 children died, 15 of whom were healthy before falling ill.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Hay, talking about the government's response to the pandemic, said: "We've only really observed this over the last few weeks so, in terms of response, of course people could have done more sooner but that again might have raised greater alarm over the population".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing a "pandemic", be specific about the disease involved and its impact on different populations or regions. Provide context to help readers understand the scale and severity of the situation.

Common error

Don't use the term "pandemic" to describe localized outbreaks or seasonal illnesses. Reserve it for situations where a disease is spreading rapidly across multiple countries or continents and affecting a large proportion of the global population.

Linguistic Context

The word "pandemic" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a widespread epidemic. It can also be used as an adjective to describe something widespread or generally prevalent. Ludwig confirms its proper usage in referring to global disease outbreaks.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Formal & Business

19%

Science

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "pandemic" is a frequently used noun and adjective denoting a widespread global disease outbreak. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and common use across diverse sources. It’s often found in news, business, and scientific contexts to emphasize the severity and scale of global health threats. When using the term, specificity regarding the disease and its impact is crucial, while overgeneralization should be avoided. Alternatives such as "global epidemic" and "worldwide outbreak" offer similar meanings. Historical pandemics like the Spanish Flu and COVID-19 demonstrate the term's relevance in understanding and addressing significant global health crises.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

global epidemic

Refers to a widespread outbreak of disease across the world, similar to a "pandemic", but may imply a slightly smaller scale or less severe impact.

worldwide outbreak

Emphasizes the global reach of a disease event, closely related to "pandemic" in meaning.

global health crisis

Highlights the severe impact of a widespread disease on the world's health systems and population.

widespread disease

Focuses on the extensive spread of a disease, a key characteristic of a "pandemic".

infectious disease outbreak

Specifies the nature of the outbreak as involving an infectious disease, which is often the case with pandemics.

international health emergency

Indicates a serious health event that requires international attention and resources, as often seen during a pandemic.

large-scale epidemic

Highlights the significant scale of the epidemic, approaching the scope of a "pandemic".

global contagion

Emphasizes the contagious nature of a disease spreading globally, akin to a "pandemic".

cross-border epidemic

Highlights that the epidemic is not just one country, but multiple.

rampant disease

Implies a disease is spreading quickly and uncontrollably, similar to the rapid spread of a "pandemic".

FAQs

How is a "pandemic" different from an epidemic?

While both terms refer to the spread of disease, an epidemic affects a specific region or community, whereas a "pandemic" is an epidemic that has spread across multiple countries or continents.

What are some common examples of pandemics throughout history?

Historical pandemics include the Spanish Flu, the Black Death, and more recently, the COVID-19 pandemic. These events demonstrate the devastating impact a "global health crisis" can have on societies.

How does the World Health Organization (WHO) define a "pandemic"?

The WHO defines a "pandemic" as the worldwide spread of a new disease. It's declared when a disease is spreading easily and sustainably in multiple countries, indicating that it's no longer confined to specific regions.

What measures are typically taken to control a "pandemic"?

Common measures include implementing travel restrictions, promoting social distancing, developing and distributing vaccines, and providing medical care to those affected. Effective communication and international cooperation are also crucial to managing a "worldwide outbreak".