ocal inhabitant/local residents/local population or (in informal styles) locals : ‘The local residents against the motorway proposal.’ 2
The rapid growth of the world’s inhabitants has produced serious social and economic
problems.
The rapid growth of the world’s population has produced serious social and economic problems. To refer to all the people in the world, or all the people living in a particular country, city, town etc, use population: ‘Half the world’s population doesn’t have enough to eat.’ ‘To make it profitable, about a third of the population of France will have to visit Eurodisney each year.’ ‘The town has a population of 15,000.’ injure 1
My car was seriously injured in the accident.
My car was badly damaged in the accident. We must all stop injuring the environment.
We must all stop damaging the environment. Injure is used only in connection with people and animals: ‘Latest reports from the site of the crash indicate that three people are dead and twelve are seriously injured.’ For objects, plants and machines, use damage : ‘Some of the equipment had been badly damaged.’ 2
He shot dead 22 innocent people and injured 23 others.
He shot dead 22 innocent people and wounded 23 others. wound = injure a person or animal by using a weapon such as a gun or knife: ‘He is accused of wounding a fellow prisoner.’ ‘The sergeant had been seriously wounded and was losing blood.’ 3
Several people injured in the accident.
Several people were injured in the accident. Fortunately the driver was wearing his seat belt and so he did not injure.
