Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

Date of decease

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Date of decease" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in formal contexts, such as legal documents, obituaries, or death certificates. Example: "The date of decease is recorded as March 15, 2023." Alternative expressions include "date of death" and "date of passing."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Patients were included in the study cohort if they had in-hospital medication data available, had a history of at least 12 months in PHARMO RLS before the hospitalisation for pneumonia, were discharged to their home and had a follow-up in PHARMO RLS of at least 3 months after hospitalisation or in case of death, a follow-up until date of decease.

Science

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It includes information on name and address, vital status, dates of eventual decease or emigration, and to some extent on relatives.

Science

BMC Cancer

As middle age advanced, he felt a steady drumbeat of decease, the winnowing of those closest to him.

News & Media

The New Yorker

It was -- physically and energetically -- a time of decease, decay, and retreat.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Antibacterial therapy from the very first hours of decease development plays an important role in the treatment of perinatal sepsis.

The CMBD database includes patients' variables (sex, date of birth), date of admittance, date of discharge, discharge destination (home, decease or other health/social institution), up to 14 discharge diagnosis and up to 20 procedures performed during the admission.

Date of publication: July 2013  .

Formal & Business

Unicef

Date of closing.

Date of access.

(Date of Publication).

Date of birth.

News & Media

BBC
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When documenting legal or medical records, use "date of decease" for a formal and precise indication of when death occurred.

Common error

Avoid using "date of decease" in casual conversation or situations where a more sensitive or comforting term like "date of death" or "date of passing" would be more appropriate.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

80%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "date of decease" functions as a noun phrase, specifying the time when someone's death occurred. It's primarily used to provide a precise temporal reference for the event of death, as seen in the example provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

20%

News & Media

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Encyclopedias

15%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "date of decease" is a grammatically sound but relatively uncommon phrase used to denote the date on which someone died. Ludwig indicates that while correct, it carries a formal tone suitable for legal, medical, or historical records. For everyday conversation, softer alternatives like "date of death" or "date of passing" are generally preferred. Though accurate, remember to consider your audience and the context when opting for "date of decease". Its infrequent usage suggests that while understood, it may sound stilted in less formal settings.

FAQs

What is the difference between "date of decease" and "date of death"?

"Date of decease" is a more formal and somewhat archaic term for "date of death". While both refer to the same event, "date of decease" is typically used in legal or official contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "date of decease"?

Use "date of decease" in formal documents such as wills, death certificates, or legal records. In general conversation or sensitive situations, softer terms like "date of death" or "date of passing" are preferred.

What are some alternative phrases for "date of decease"?

Alternatives include "date of death", "date of passing", "time of death", or "day of passing". The best choice depends on the context and the level of formality required.

Is "date of decease" still commonly used?

While grammatically correct, "date of decease" is not as commonly used as "date of death". It is more frequently found in older documents or formal settings. Ludwig suggests using the more common alternative in most situations.

ChatGPT power + Grammarly precisionChatGPT power + Grammarly precision
ChatGPT + Grammarly

Editing plus AI, all in one place.

Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.

Source & Trust

80%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: