social being

USAGE SUMMARY

"social being" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to a person's innate social and communicative skills and can be used to describe a person's identity. For example: "He was a natural social being and had made many friends in his new school."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Man is, at one and the same time, a solitary being and a social being.

Huffington Post

Kitwood (1997) defined personhood as: 'a standing or status that is bestowed upon one human being, by others, in the context of relationship and social being.

Aging and Mental Health

Moreover, you're a social being.

The New York Times

A VISITOR We're not a very social being.

The New York Times

He was also a deeply gregarious and social being.

The Guardian - Books

Declarative pointing – "there's an eagle!" – is also one of the fundamental triangulations of our social being.

The Guardian - Books

The dramatic experience becomes a natural extension of human life both of the individual and of the social being.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The selfie's usual purpose is to be transmitted by social media – with "social" being the key word.

The Guardian - Opinion

He offered an ideal that was adopted by his successors for centuries: perfecting man as a tolerant, undogmatic, urbane social being.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is an attempt to fix one's identity permanently as a social being while declaring one's complete autonomy from social demands.

The New York Times - Books

Man is a social being.

Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "social being" to emphasize the inherent need for human connection and interaction in various contexts, such as psychology, sociology, and philosophy.

Common error

Avoid using "social being" in everyday conversation or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or academic. Opt for simpler terms like "social person" or "sociable individual" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "social being" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used as a subject or complement in sentences to describe humans or other entities that are inherently social. Ludwig's examples show its use in diverse contexts, from philosophical discussions to descriptions of animal behavior.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

43%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "social being" is a commonly used noun phrase that describes the fundamental nature of humans as social creatures, as confirmed by Ludwig. Its primary function is to highlight the significance of social interaction and community. While grammatically correct, its formality should be considered, making it less suitable for informal contexts. Ludwig's analysis of various sources demonstrates its frequent appearance in News & Media and Science, with the authoritative sources being Huffington Post, The New York Times, The Guardian and Encyclopedia Britannica. Therefore, while the phrase is correct in general, it's often better to use more colloquial alternatives in everyday conversations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sociable individual

Replaces "being" with "individual", emphasizing the person rather than the state of existence; more informal.

socially connected individual

Emphasizes the presence of connections and relationships.

gregarious person

Focuses on the enjoyment of social interaction; implies a more outgoing personality.

community-oriented person

Highlights a person's focus and involvement in their community.

social participant

Highlights active involvement in social activities.

communal member

Highlights the aspect of belonging to a community; emphasizes group affiliation.

relationally inclined person

Stresses the importance of relationships in one's life.

interpersonal communicator

Focuses on the ability to interact and communicate effectively with others.

human connector

Focuses on the ability to bring people together.

networker

Emphasizes building and maintaining a network of contacts.

FAQs

How can I use "social being" in a sentence?

You can use "social being" to describe humans or animals that thrive on interaction. For instance, "Humans are inherently a "social being", requiring interaction for mental and emotional well-being".

What's the difference between "social being" and "sociable person"?

"Social being" emphasizes the fundamental nature of humans as social creatures, while "sociable person" describes someone who enjoys and actively seeks out social interaction. The former is a more philosophical concept, the latter a personality trait.

Are there contexts where "social being" is more appropriate than "social animal"?

"Social being" is often preferred in academic or philosophical discussions about human nature, whereas "social animal" might be used more broadly, including in less formal contexts. "Social being" tends to carry a more positive connotation, suggesting inherent value in social connection.

What are some alternative phrases to "social being" that I can use in my writing?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "sociable individual", "gregarious person", or "community-oriented person" to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances.