a death sentence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a death sentence" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used to refer to a legal judgment that results in a person being sentenced to death or to a situation that is likely to result in someone's death. Example: He was convicted of murder and received a death sentence. Example: The doctor's diagnosis was a death sentence - she only had a few months to live. Example: The dangerous mission was essentially a death sentence for the brave soldiers who volunteered to participate.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A death sentence".

The New Yorker

That's a death sentence.

The New York Times

"It's a death sentence".

The New York Times

"It's not a death sentence.

The New York Times - Sports

With a death sentence.

The New York Times

It is often a death sentence.

The Economist

That also ended in a death sentence.

The Economist

The diagnosis was a death sentence.

The New Yorker

It is not a death sentence".

Independent

The front desk was a death sentence.

The New Yorker

Qutb received a death sentence.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a death sentence" when describing situations where the outcome is virtually certain to be negative or fatal, either literally or metaphorically. For example, "For a small business, losing its major client can be a death sentence."

Common error

Avoid using "a death sentence" in situations where the consequences are serious but not necessarily catastrophic or fatal. Overusing the phrase dilutes its impact and can be seen as hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a death sentence" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It refers to a formal legal judgment ordering execution, or, more broadly, to any situation with an inevitable and severely negative outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a death sentence" is a widely used phrase that denotes either a legal judgment of execution or a situation considered inevitably fatal or disastrous. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in diverse contexts, particularly in news media, science, and formal business settings. While commonly used, writers should avoid overusing it in less severe situations to maintain its impact. Alternatives like "capital punishment" or "terminal diagnosis" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a capital punishment

This refers specifically to a legal sentence of execution, narrowing the scope from general fatal outcomes.

a terminal diagnosis

This relates specifically to a medical prognosis of a fatal disease, making it context-specific.

fatal blow

This refers to an action or event that causes failure or death, emphasizing the decisive action.

certain doom

Implies inevitable and severe negative consequences, often used in dramatic contexts.

the end of the line

This is a more figurative expression, suggesting the conclusion of something, which might not always involve death.

sealed fate

This implies an unchangeable destiny, which may not necessarily mean death but a significant negative outcome.

a dead end

This suggests a situation with no progress or hope, less severe than literal death.

the kiss of death

This idiom suggests something that appears beneficial but ultimately causes failure or ruin.

game over

An informal term implying the end of success or continuation.

point of no return

Highlights irreversibility but not necessarily fatality.

FAQs

How can "a death sentence" be used metaphorically?

Metaphorically, "a death sentence" describes any situation that seems certain to lead to failure or destruction. For example, "Ignoring customer feedback can be a death sentence for a new product."

What's the difference between "a death sentence" and "a life sentence"?

"A death sentence" results in execution, while "a life sentence" means imprisonment for the remainder of one's natural life. The first is a complete termination of life, while the second is a deprivation of freedom.

When is it appropriate to use "a death sentence" in a medical context?

It's appropriate when describing a diagnosis with a very poor prognosis and a high likelihood of death. However, it's crucial to use it with sensitivity, as it can be deeply upsetting to patients and their families.

What are some less dramatic alternatives to "a death sentence"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a critical blow", "a terminal diagnosis", or "an irreversible decision" to convey a serious negative outcome without the finality of death.