took lives

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "took lives" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing loss of life, often in relation to violence, accidents, or disasters. Example: "The earthquake took lives and left many families devastated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

I took lives.

The New York Times

Perhaps he took lives.

The Guardian - Film

Virtually no one took "Lives" seriously when it was published.

The New York Times - Arts

As Rule later wrote of the incongruity, "Ted Bundy took lives, he also saved lives".

The New Yorker

Not every one was a bombing, and not every bomb took lives.

The New York Times

"As a medical doctor, he took lives instead of saving them," Judge Mose said in the court's summary.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Radio stations took live television news feeds.

The New York Times

Maybin took live batting practice Sunday after a second straight day of improvement.

The New York Times - Sports

He took batting practice and then he took live batting practice.

The Washington Post

Others have taken lives.

The Washington Post

"Isis aren't just about taking lives.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "took lives", ensure the context clearly indicates what or who was responsible for the loss of life to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify whether it was a natural disaster, an accident, or a deliberate act.

Common error

Avoid using "took lives" in contexts where a more neutral or factual description is appropriate. Overusing dramatic language can desensitize readers or appear insincere. Consider alternatives like "resulted in fatalities" or "caused deaths" when a less emotive tone is needed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "took lives" functions as a verb phrase within a sentence, typically acting as the predicate. It indicates an action that resulted in the end of one or more lives. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "took lives" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe events that have resulted in fatalities. As Ludwig AI states, it is correct and appropriate in various contexts, ranging from news reports to scientific articles. While versatile, it's important to consider the tone; in formal settings, alternatives like "resulted in fatalities" might be preferred. Remember to clearly specify the cause of the loss of life when using this phrase to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity. The phrase sees frequent usage in "News & Media", followed by "Science", and is rarely used in other contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

claimed lives

Replaces "took" with "claimed", emphasizing the taking as a forceful or tragic event.

ended lives

Directly states the termination of life, less emotive than some alternatives.

resulted in fatalities

Uses a more formal tone to describe the outcome of an event that caused deaths.

caused deaths

A more direct and neutral way of saying that something led to the loss of life.

led to casualties

Similar to "caused deaths" but often used in the context of accidents or conflicts.

brought death

More concise, focusing on the action of introducing death into a situation.

brought about demise

A more literary or dramatic way to express the act of causing death.

inflicted death

Emphasizes the action of causing death with a sense of force or imposition.

caused mortality

A more formal and statistical way of indicating deaths.

snuffed out existence

Highly figurative, emphasizing the sudden and irreversible end of life.

FAQs

How can I use "took lives" in a sentence?

You can use "took lives" to describe an event or action that resulted in death. For example, "The earthquake "took lives" and caused widespread damage".

What can I say instead of "took lives"?

Alternatives to "took lives" include "claimed lives", "resulted in fatalities", or "caused deaths", depending on the context and desired tone.

Is it appropriate to use "took lives" in formal writing?

While "took lives" is grammatically correct, in formal writing, phrases like "resulted in fatalities" or "led to casualties" might be more suitable as they convey the information in a more neutral and professional manner.

What is the difference between "took lives" and "claimed lives"?

"Took lives" is a more general phrase indicating that lives were lost. "Claimed lives" implies that something—often a disaster or disease—aggressively or inevitably caused those deaths. The phrase "claimed lives" carries a stronger sense of agency or inevitability.