to rescue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to rescue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of saving someone or something from a dangerous or distressing situation. Example: "The firefighters worked tirelessly to rescue the trapped residents from the burning building."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

How to rescue the game?

The New York Times - Sports

Fight to rescue her death.

The New Yorker

They shouted at me to rescue him.

The New Yorker

Emergency crews fanned out to rescue hundreds.

Independent

They call them a "failure to rescue".

The New Yorker

Spurs tried mightily to rescue this game.

The New York Times - Sports

What's to rescue?

The Guardian - Opinion

Culpepper to Rescue?

The New York Times

Separately, Citigroup stepped in to rescue Wachovia.

The Economist

The three ran back to rescue them.

The New York Times

No more money to rescue banks.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to rescue", ensure the context clearly indicates what or who is being saved from a dangerous or undesirable situation. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "to rescue" in situations that are not genuinely dangerous or critical. Overusing it can dilute its impact and sound melodramatic. Opt for milder terms like "to help" or "to assist" in less serious contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to rescue" functions as an infinitive, often acting as a verb complement or expressing purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage. Examples show it used to describe actions taken to save individuals or entities from danger or adverse situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the infinitive phrase "to rescue" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to describe the act of saving someone or something from a dangerous or undesirable situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in news, formal business contexts, and wiki sources. While generally neutral in register, its overuse in non-critical scenarios should be avoided. Alternative phrases such as "to save" or "to deliver" can be considered depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to save

Focuses on preserving someone or something from harm or danger, less specific than rescuing from an immediate threat.

to liberate

Implies freeing someone from captivity or oppression, often with a social or political connotation.

to deliver

Suggests rescuing someone from a difficult or dangerous situation, often with a sense of urgency.

to free

Emphasizes the act of releasing someone from confinement or control, similar to liberate but more general.

to salvage

Focuses on recovering something of value from a damaged or lost state, often referring to objects or situations.

to extricate

Implies removing someone or something from a difficult or entrapping situation, often requiring careful maneuvering.

to recover

Suggests regaining something that was lost or taken away, which can include people or objects.

to reclaim

Implies retrieving something that was previously possessed, often with a sense of ownership or entitlement.

to redeem

Suggests rescuing someone or something from a state of moral or spiritual corruption.

to bail out

Primarily refers to providing financial assistance to rescue someone or something from financial ruin.

FAQs

How can I use "to rescue" in a sentence?

The phrase "to rescue" is an infinitive form of the verb "rescue", meaning to save someone or something from a dangerous situation. Example: "The firefighters rushed "to rescue" the people trapped inside the burning building".

What are some alternatives to "to rescue"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "to save", "to liberate", or "to deliver".

Is it correct to say "rescue to" instead of "to rescue"?

No, the correct infinitive form is "to rescue". "Rescue to" is grammatically incorrect in standard English.

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

While both phrases imply preventing harm, "to rescue" often suggests a more immediate and dangerous situation, whereas "to save" can be used in broader contexts. For example, you might "rescue" someone from a fire, but "save" money for retirement.