put to death

USAGE SUMMARY

"put to death" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it in a sentence like "The murderer was put to death".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He is put to death.

The New Yorker

He, too, is put to death.

The New Yorker

Others less fortunate were put to death.

The New York Times

Will Gu be put to death?

The New Yorker

Julius was put to death.

The New York Times

They beg to be put to death.

Yale University

Joseph Wood was put to death in Arizona.

The Economist

"How many have been put to death?

The Washington Post

77 treaty opponents are put to death.

The Guardian

Reneau was put to death in 2002.

The Washington Post

Or possibly even put to death?

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "put to death" when you want to emphasize the process or method of execution, rather than simply stating that someone died. It often implies a formal or legal execution.

Common error

Avoid using "put to death" in casual conversation or informal writing. It's a strong, formal phrase that can sound overly dramatic or out of place in less serious contexts. Consider using simpler terms like "killed" or "died" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put to death" functions as a passive verb phrase, typically used to describe the act of executing someone as a form of punishment. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in sentences where a subject receives the action of being executed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "put to death" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive verb construction used to describe a formal execution. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English. It appears most often in news articles, academic texts, and encyclopedias. When writing, use it to denote a formal execution and be mindful of the solemn and serious nature of the topic. The best alternatives are execute, sentence to death, and condemn to die depending on the nuance you want to emphasize.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

execute

This is a more direct and concise synonym for "put to death", commonly used in legal and formal contexts.

sentence to death

Focuses on the judicial decision that precedes the act of execution.

condemn to die

Emphasizes the judgment and the resulting fate of the individual.

inflict capital punishment

A formal and legalistic way of describing the act of imposing the death penalty.

bring about someone's demise

A more general term that implies causing someone's death, not necessarily as a punishment.

slay

An older term indicating a violent killing.

cause the death of

A neutral phrasing indicating someone or something caused the death.

end someone's life

A more euphemistic way of saying kill.

dispatch

A concise, sometimes clinical term for killing.

terminate

Refers to end the life of someone.

FAQs

How is "put to death" used in a sentence?

The phrase "put to death" is used to describe the execution of someone as a punishment for a crime. For instance, "The convicted murderer was "put to death" by lethal injection".

What are some alternatives to saying "put to death"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "execute", "sentence to death", or "condemn to die".

Is it correct to say "was put to death" or "were put to death"?

The correct form depends on whether you're referring to a singular or plural subject. Use "was put to death" for a single person (e.g., "He was put to death") and "were put to death" for multiple people (e.g., "They were put to death").

What's the difference between "put to death" and "killed"?

"Put to death" implies a formal execution as a legal punishment, while "killed" is a more general term for causing someone's death, without necessarily implying a legal or formal context. "Killed" can refer to accidents, murder, or other forms of death.