thousands of lives

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thousands of lives" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a large number of people affected by a situation, event, or phenomenon. Example: "The natural disaster claimed thousands of lives, leaving the community in mourning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That amounts to thousands of lives changed.

Independent

Thousands of lives would have been saved.

The Economist

"Thousands of lives changed forever," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Thousands of lives are at risk".

The New York Times

"We changed thousands of lives.

The New York Times

Tens of thousands of lives were saved.

The New York Times - Science

The discovery saved thousands of lives.

The New York Times

Defibrillators have saved thousands of lives.

The New York Times

"They saved hundreds, perhaps thousands, of lives.

The New York Times

But thousands of lives were saved.

The New York Times

Thousands of lives depend on their efforts.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a specific event or policy, quantify the impact by including statistical data where possible. For example, instead of saying "thousands of lives were saved", specify the actual number saved based on available research.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "thousands of lives" without concrete evidence or a reliable source to back up the claim. Overstating the impact can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thousands of lives" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. As seen in Ludwig, it quantifies the impact of an action or event on a substantial number of people.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "thousands of lives" is a common and grammatically sound noun phrase used to emphasize the significant impact of an event or decision on a large number of individuals. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and business. While specific numbers provide more credibility, "thousands of lives" effectively conveys a substantial but imprecise quantity. Remember to avoid exaggeration and always support your claims with evidence. Alternatives such as "countless human beings" or "numerous individuals" can be used to achieve the same effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

countless human beings

Substitutes "thousands" and "lives" with synonyms that emphasize the quantity and humanity.

innumerable existences

Replaces "thousands" with a more abstract term for a very large, uncountable number.

numerous individuals

Uses synonyms to convey a similar meaning, focusing on the individual count.

a multitude of people

Replaces "thousands of lives" with a more general term for a large group of individuals.

a great number of people

Rephrases the quantity using "great number" instead of a specific numerical value.

legions of individuals

Employs "legions" to suggest a very large and organized group of people.

substantial population

Shifts the focus to the overall population size affected.

myriads of people

Uses a less common word, "myriads", to represent a large, indefinite number.

victims in great numbers

Highlights the condition of "lives" as "victims", but retains the sense of large quantities

a sea of faces

Uses figurative language to represent a large crowd of people.

FAQs

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

You can use "thousands of lives" to emphasize the significant impact or consequence of an event or decision. For example, "The new healthcare policy is expected to save "thousands of lives" annually."

What are some alternatives to "thousands of lives"?

Alternatives include "innumerable existences", "countless human beings", or "numerous individuals" depending on the context and desired emphasis.

Is it better to use "thousands of lives" or a more specific number?

Using a specific number is generally more impactful and credible. However, if the exact number is unknown or difficult to ascertain, "thousands of lives" can be used to convey a large but imprecise quantity.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "thousands of lives"?

It is appropriate when discussing events, policies, or actions that have a widespread impact on a large number of people, particularly in situations involving health, safety, or well-being. For instance, you might say, "The vaccine program has protected "thousands of lives" from preventable diseases".