Declining health

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Declining health" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone's health is deteriorating or worsening over time. Example: "After several months of treatment, the doctor informed us that his declining health was a cause for concern."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Declining health forced him to retire in 1997.

The New York Times - Arts

Declining health made walking the streets a struggle, but his passion for the city was undiminished.

The Guardian - Books

Declining health is becoming a major reason prime-age men are working less and less.

The Washington Post

Each is in declining health.

The Guardian - Sport

He dwells on his declining health.

The New York Times - Sports

Hip fractures often lead to declining health.

The New York Times - Health

He had been in declining health for years.

The New York Times

His declining health also limited access, especially for scholars.

The New Yorker

His remaining years were spent in depression and declining health.

The Guardian - Music

His wife, Queen Sirikit, has also suffered declining health.

The Guardian

The condition has previously ignited rumors of Li's declining health.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "declining health" when emphasizing a prolonged period of health issues, instead of a brief or acute sickness.

Common error

Avoid using "declining health" to describe sudden illnesses or injuries; it's more appropriate for gradual deterioration over time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "declining health" functions as a noun phrase, where "declining" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "health". It describes a state of deterioration. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and provides examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

12%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "declining health" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to describe a gradual deterioration of someone's health. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is typically used in news and media, academic, and encyclopedic contexts. While alternatives like "deteriorating health" and "failing health" exist, it's important to use "declining health" to express a gradual, and not sudden, health decline. The phrase maintains a neutral to professional register, making it suitable for various formal and informal communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deteriorating health

Focuses on the process of worsening health, similar to "declining health".

failing health

Emphasizes the inability of one's health to sustain itself.

waning health

Highlights a gradual decrease in health.

poor health

A general term for not being in good health.

ailing health

Describes a state of sickness or ill health.

weakening condition

Focuses on the diminishing strength and overall state of the body.

fragile state of health

Highlights the delicate and easily compromised nature of one's health.

unhealthy state

A more general term indicating a lack of well-being.

sinking fast

Figuratively represents a rapid decline in health.

health is slipping

Indicates a gradual loss of health and vitality.

FAQs

How can I use "declining health" in a sentence?

"Declining health" is typically used to describe a gradual deterioration of someone's physical or mental condition over time. For example, "Due to his "declining health", he had to retire early."

What are some alternatives to "declining health"?

You can use alternatives such as "deteriorating health", "failing health", or "waning health" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "declining health" for sudden illnesses?

No, "declining health" is more suitable for describing a gradual deterioration over time. For sudden illnesses, terms like "sudden illness" or "acute condition" are more appropriate.

What's the difference between "declining health" and "poor health"?

"Declining health" suggests a process of worsening health over time, while "poor health" is a general term for not being in good health at a specific point.