scourge of humanity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scourge of humanity" is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase is typically used to refer to something that has caused or is widely perceived to be causing extreme suffering or distress, such as war, poverty, or a virus. For example: The global pandemic has been a scourge of humanity, leaving many in both physical and financial distress.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

These expert manipulators have been the scourge of humanity over the millennia.

The New York Times

"He considers religion as the scourge of humanity, which dampens down our fantasies and our lust to think and experiment". Naipaul - who has also in the past criticised New Labour in the strongest terms - has a long history of heated literary criticism, too.

The Guardian - Books

Malaria is a scourge of humanity, particularly for the inhabitants of poor tropical countries.

Forbes

He has become the Destroyer, his only goal to eliminate the scourge of humanity from the planet.

Duke University

Brewer, abolitionist, social reformer and English Member of Parliament Sir Thomas Buxton said, "Laziness grows on people; it begins in cobwebs and ends in iron chains". Poet and philosopher Samuel Taylor Coleridge had an even darker take on the avoidance of work: "The love of indolence is universal, or next to it". Indeed, laziness has been a scourge of humanity for millennia.

Forbes

This need to interact with the scourge of humanity is only getting greater.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"These are the scourges of humanity, open and festering in every corner of the planet, although they are often ignored and sometimes deliberately concealed; wounds that torture the souls and bodies of countless of our brothers and sisters".

The New York Times

Much focus is justly given to pulmonary tuberculosis, one of the key medical scourges of humanity, but this disease also often manifests itself in organs outside of the lungs.

Springer

Smallpox was beyond a doubt one of the greatest scourges of humanity.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

The underlying biology of that scourge of modern humanity, cancer, looks as though it is about to yield its main secret.

The Economist

And the third is that our efforts to dismantle this scourge on humanity are totally disorganized, a drop in an ocean of corruption and greed.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "scourge of humanity", ensure the context clearly identifies the specific cause of widespread suffering you are referring to. Clarity enhances the impact of this strong phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "scourge of humanity" to describe minor inconveniences or trivial issues. This phrase is reserved for truly devastating problems. Overusing the expression will diminish its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scourge of humanity" functions as a noun phrase that acts as a descriptor or appositive, identifying something as a major cause of suffering or devastation. Ludwig examples show it referring to diseases, behaviors, or concepts that have profoundly negative impacts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "scourge of humanity" is a powerful descriptor used to denote entities or events causing widespread suffering. While grammatically correct and confirmed by Ludwig, its usage should be reserved for contexts where the severity is genuinely high. Related phrases such as "bane of civilization" or "curse upon mankind" can offer similar emphasis. Ludwig examples and alternative recommendations are useful in ensuring appropriate and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bane of civilization

Replaces "scourge of humanity" with a focus on the negative impact on societal progress and order.

curse upon mankind

Substitutes "scourge" with "curse", emphasizing a sense of doom and misfortune inflicted upon people.

affliction of the human race

Uses "affliction" to soften the impact compared to "scourge", while keeping the focus on widespread suffering.

plague on society

Replaces "humanity" with "society", narrowing the focus from all of humankind to a specific community or population.

blight upon the world

Employs "blight" to suggest a destructive force that damages and degrades the world at large.

menace to humankind

Shifts from a past or present problem to a potential future threat, using "menace" to indicate impending danger.

tragedy for all people

Replaces the more aggressive term "scourge" with the milder "tragedy", focusing on the sorrowful aspect of a situation.

disaster for civilization

Uses "disaster" to highlight the catastrophic nature of an event, affecting the structure and function of civilization.

threat to global well-being

Emphasizes the danger posed to the overall health and happiness of the world's population.

detriment to human progress

Focuses on the hindrance to advancement and development caused by a particular factor or event.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "scourge of humanity" in a sentence?

Use "scourge of humanity" to describe events, conditions, or entities that cause widespread suffering and devastation. For instance, "war" or "pandemics" can be described as a "scourge of humanity".

What are some alternative phrases to "scourge of humanity"?

You can use alternatives such as "bane of civilization", "curse upon mankind", or "affliction of the human race" depending on the context.

Is "scourge of humanity" an appropriate phrase for formal writing?

"Scourge of humanity" is suitable for formal writing when describing serious and critical issues. Ensure that the context warrants such a strong expression.

What distinguishes "scourge of humanity" from a similar phrase like "challenge to humanity"?

"Scourge of humanity" denotes a destructive force that causes widespread suffering, while "challenge to humanity" implies an obstacle that needs to be overcome. The former is far more severe and immediate.