rescue

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "rescue" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a situation where someone or something is removed from a place of danger or distress. For example: "The firefighter was able to rescue the cat from the burning building."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the law of torts, our tradition, our law, has been that you don't have the duty to rescue someone if that person is in danger.

The New York Times

The hard-pressed Italian navy will be left to mount what search and rescue operations it can.

The Guardian

But five years after Athens was forced to be bailed out by the European Union and International Monetary Fund (IMF) – accepting the biggest rescue package in global financial history – Greeks are not sure what to think.

The Guardian

"You see it in personalities whose idea of leadership is to rescue the situation – it's quite a macho thing," he suggests.

The Guardian

His Edymandias EdStone moment may have been one of the most ill-conceived political stunts of all time: fortunately the monarchy came to the rescue with the timely arrival of the royal baby to fill the news pages instead.

The Guardian - Opinion

The storm sewer drains into a lake and rescue crews were using sonar and boats to search.

The Guardian

In Iowa, rescue crews were searching for 17-year-old Logan Blake, who was swept away in a Cedar Rapids storm drain Monday night.

The Guardian

Speaking of Athletic, maybe the international break will come to their rescue.

The Guardian - Sport

So I rescue them, put them in water, and they come to life.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Italian operation will now end without a similar European search and rescue operation to replace it.

The Guardian

As it does not involve search and rescue missions it will not be covered by British government policy which regards the rescue of desperate migrants as only encouraging others to make the hazardous journey.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "rescue", ensure the context clearly indicates imminent danger or a difficult situation from which someone or something is being saved.

Common error

Avoid using "rescue" when simpler verbs like "help" or "assist" are more appropriate. Reserve "rescue" for scenarios involving significant danger or distress.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "rescue" is as a transitive verb, denoting the act of saving someone or something from a dangerous or difficult situation. It can also function as a noun, referring to the act of saving or the state of being saved. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples demonstrating both usages.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Lifestyle

15%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rescue" is a very common verb and noun used to describe the act of saving someone or something from danger. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and versatile, fitting into a range of contexts from news reporting to everyday conversation. While "rescue" is generally neutral, it's crucial to reserve it for situations involving genuine risk, opting for simpler alternatives like "help" in less critical scenarios. Common alternatives include "save", "deliver", and "liberate".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

save

A general term for protecting someone or something from harm; less specific than "rescue".

deliver

Implies a more formal or purposeful act of freeing someone from a dangerous situation.

extricate

Suggests a careful and skillful removal from a trap or difficult situation.

liberate

Emphasizes the act of setting someone free from captivity or oppression.

recover

Focuses on regaining something lost or in a bad condition, often property or data.

salvage

Implies saving something from ruin or destruction, often used for material possessions.

free

A basic term for releasing someone from confinement or control; less urgent than "rescue".

aid

Denotes providing assistance or help, which may lead to a "rescue".

assist

Similar to 'aid', but can imply a less critical situation where support is needed.

get out of trouble

An informal way of saying "rescue", specifically from difficulties or problems.

FAQs

How to use "rescue" in a sentence?

You can use "rescue" to describe the act of saving someone from danger. For example, "The firefighters managed to "rescue" the family from the burning building".

What can I say instead of "rescue"?

You can use alternatives like "save", "deliver", or "liberate" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "rescue" and "save"?

"Rescue" typically implies a more immediate danger, while "save" can be used in broader contexts. Rescuing someone usually means removing them from a specific peril, whereas saving someone may involve protecting them from future harm.

When is it appropriate to use the word "rescue"?

Use "rescue" when referring to the act of saving someone or something from a dangerous or difficult situation. It's suitable when there's a sense of urgency or immediate threat.