scores of lives

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scores of lives" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a large number of lives affected by a particular event or situation. Example: "The natural disaster claimed scores of lives, leaving the community in mourning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

It has already cost scores of lives, and could spread.

The Economist

At least 10 similar incidents cost scores of lives all over Africa between 1996 and 2009.

The Guardian - Opinion

In at least seven of the past 20 years, stampedes have claimed scores of lives.

The Economist

Heavy security measures have failed to stop the attacks, which have taken scores of lives this year.

The Guardian - Opinion

Getachew Reda, an Ethiopian government spokesman, called the figures baseless but acknowledged that scores of lives had been lost.

The New York Times

Sovereignty was theirs, their action sacrificing scores of lives proclaimed; only Muslims would determine which Jews, if any, could visit a site revered by more than one religion.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

Dumas and Kusama are the only living female artists to join scores of living male artists commanding above $5 million, the most notable being Lucian Freud (then still alive) at $33.6 million, Jeff Koon's $23.6 million, Damien Hirst's $19.3 million, and Jasper Johns at $17.4 million.

Huffington Post

The March outbreak of H7N9 led health officials in China to close scores of live poultry markets in the Shanghai area, but many reopened within a month or two when cases of human infections began to fall.

The Guardian

Pearl Jam is known for raging against the music industry machine with endeavors like taking antitrust action against Ticketmaster in 1994 and releasing scores of live albums from each of its last two tours.

The New York Times

Mr. Matthau worked his way up from poverty on the Lower East Side of Manhattan to varied roles in stock, more than 20 Broadway plays (mostly flops) and scores of live television shows.

The New York Times

The attacks on France saw prime minister David Cameron chair a meeting of the government's emergency committee Cobra, as police warned they are involved in scores of live terrorism investigations, including those where jihadis are feared to be plotting mass casualty attacks.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "scores of lives" to convey a substantial but not precisely quantified number of deaths or ruined lives, often in the context of tragic events, disasters, or conflicts. It provides a strong emotional impact without requiring an exact count.

Common error

Avoid using "scores of lives" in situations where the number of people affected is small or the context is not serious. Using it inappropriately can diminish its impact and appear melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scores of lives" functions as a quantifying expression, indicating a large, unspecified number of human lives affected by a particular event. This is supported by Ludwig, which showcases its usage in contexts involving tragedies, disasters, and conflicts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

9%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scores of lives" is a commonly used phrase to denote a significant, but unspecified, number of human lives impacted by an event, often of tragic nature. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely employed in news and media, as well as in scientific contexts. When writing, it's best to use "scores of lives" to emphasize the scale of loss in serious contexts, avoiding overuse in trivial situations. Alternative phrases like "numerous fatalities" or "significant loss of life" can be used for variety while maintaining the intended impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

numerous fatalities

Replaces "scores of" with "numerous", focusing specifically on deaths.

significant loss of life

Emphasizes the loss aspect more directly.

heavy casualties

Focuses on the injured and dead, typically in a conflict or disaster context.

a multitude of deaths

Replaces "scores of" with "a multitude of", highlighting the large number of deaths.

many lives lost

A more concise way of expressing the same idea.

untold human suffering

Shifts focus to the suffering experienced due to the loss of lives.

a devastating death toll

Highlights the severity of the loss.

serious loss of life

Indicates a loss of life that is grave and impactful.

major impact on human population

Focuses on the demographic consequences.

widespread mortality

A more formal and scientific way of referring to deaths across a large population.

FAQs

How can I use "scores of lives" in a sentence?

You can use "scores of lives" to describe a situation where a significant number of people have died or had their lives severely affected, such as "The earthquake claimed "scores of lives" and left many more injured".

What's the difference between "scores of lives" and "dozens of lives"?

"Dozens of lives" typically refers to a smaller number, generally between 24 and 36. "Scores of lives" implies a larger, less precise number, usually understood to be significantly more than dozens, often implying a tragic or widespread impact.

What can I say instead of "scores of lives"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "numerous fatalities", "significant loss of life", or "heavy casualties depending on the context".

Is it appropriate to use "scores of lives" in a formal setting?

Yes, "scores of lives" is appropriate in formal settings, especially when reporting on serious events like natural disasters, conflicts, or public health crises. However, ensure the tone and context align with the gravity of the situation.