To diagnose

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "To diagnose" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the process of identifying a problem or condition, often in a medical or technical context. Example: "The doctor will need to run some tests to diagnose the patient's illness accurately."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What does it mean to diagnose genius?

The New Yorker

Arrhythmias can be very tricky to diagnose".

The New York Times - Sports

They are supposed to diagnose disease.

The New York Times - Health

How easy is it to diagnose malaria?

The Guardian - Tech

The pediatrician who failed to diagnose appendicitis.

The New York Times

The disease is also hard to diagnose.

The New York Times - Health

How to diagnose it is controversial.

The New York Times

But it failed to diagnose the cause.

The Guardian - Opinion

Sepsis can be difficult to diagnose with certainty.

The Guardian

There's no blood test to diagnose "compulsive shopping disorder".

The New York Times - Magazine

But many hardware problems are fairly easy to diagnose.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to diagnose", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being diagnosed. Be specific about the condition, problem, or situation being identified.

Common error

Avoid using "to diagnose" in contexts where a simpler term like "identify" or "determine" would be more appropriate. Overusing medical terminology can sound pretentious or out of place.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to diagnose" functions as an infinitive, often serving as a verb complement or expressing purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and examples show its use in medical, technical, and even metaphorical contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

56%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to diagnose" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, primarily in medical and technical domains, to indicate the act of identifying a disease, condition, or problem. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage. While "to diagnose" is generally neutral to formal in register, its contextual usage determines the ultimate tone. When writing, ensure clarity about what is being diagnosed and avoid overuse in non-medical settings to maintain credibility and relevance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

In order to diagnose

Adds a degree of formality by explicitly stating purpose.

For the purpose of diagnosing

Elaborates on the intent with more detail.

With the aim of diagnosing

Similar to "for the purpose of", but uses slightly different wording.

For diagnosis

Highlights purpose, focusing on the end result.

In the diagnosis of

Shifts focus to the diagnostic process itself.

Toward diagnosis

Indicates direction or progress in the diagnostic process.

To identify

A more general term, applicable outside of medical contexts.

To determine

Focuses on the process of finding something out.

To assess

Focuses on evaluating a situation or condition.

To detect

Emphasizes the discovery aspect of diagnosis.

FAQs

How can I use "to diagnose" in a sentence?

Use "to diagnose" when you want to express the act of identifying a disease, problem, or condition through examination. For example, "The doctor used several tests "to diagnose" the patient's illness."

What are some alternatives to "to diagnose"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "to identify", "to determine", or "to detect". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "to diagnose" instead of "to identify"?

"To diagnose" is most appropriate in medical or technical contexts, while "to identify" is a more general term that can be used in a wider range of situations. For example, you would "diagnose" a disease, but "identify" a problem in a system.

Is it correct to use "to diagnose" in non-medical contexts?

While "to diagnose" is primarily used in medical contexts, it can be used metaphorically in other fields to describe the process of identifying a problem. However, be mindful of your audience and consider whether a more general term like "to assess" or "to determine" would be more appropriate.