a body

Meanings

1. 1phrasecountable

   One physical human or animal form, seen as a whole living or dead structure.

   Grammar: 'Body' is countable, so it needs 'a' or a plural: 'a body was found', 'two bodies were found'.

   Patterns

   • find a body
   • a dead body
   • a human body

   Police found a body near the river early this morning.

   The human body needs water within a few days.

   A body was recovered from the wreckage by rescue teams.

2. 2phrasecountableformal

   An organized group of people who officially make decisions or represent others, such as a committee or council.

   Grammar: Often followed by 'of' or a purpose phrase: 'a body of experts', 'a governing body'.

   Patterns

   • a governing body
   • a body of experts
   • an official body

   The sport's governing body announced new rules for next season.

   A body of independent experts reviewed the safety data.

   Complaints should go to an official body, not to the local office.

3. 3phrasecountable

   A large amount or collection of something, especially information or work.

   Grammar: Usually in the fixed pattern 'a body of + uncountable noun': 'a body of evidence'.

   Patterns

   • a body of evidence
   • a body of knowledge
   • a growing body of research

   There is a growing body of evidence that the drug helps.

   Scientists have built a body of knowledge about the region's climate.

   A body of work like hers takes decades to produce.

Word forms

Common combinations

a dead body

A dead body was found in the empty house.

the human body

The human body can survive weeks without food.

a governing body

The governing body fined the club for breaking the rules.

a body of evidence

A large body of evidence supports the theory.

a body of water

The lake is the largest body of water in the region.

Synonyms and how they differ

corpse

Only for a dead human body and sounds clinical or blunt; 'body' works for both the living and the dead.

organization

A general word for any group with a structure, while 'body' suggests official authority or a formal role.

figure

Used for the shape or outline of a person, not the whole physical structure.

Opposites

Word family

bodily adjective

Relating to the body, as in 'bodily harm'.

bodily adverb

In a physical way, as in 'lifted bodily'.

embody verb

To express or represent an idea in a real, visible form.

bodyguard noun

A person paid to protect someone.

Commonly confused: a body or nobody? a body or anybody?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “a body”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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