a practicing physician

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a practicing physician" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a doctor who is currently engaged in the practice of medicine, as opposed to someone who may be retired or not actively seeing patients. Example: "After years of training, she finally became a practicing physician and started her own clinic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She was a practicing physician.

The New Yorker

Dr. Lee initially intended to become a practicing physician.

The New York Times - Health

Matthew Branche, MD, was a practicing physician and surgeon for over 40 years.

The New York Times

He was also a practicing physician specializing in nervous and mental disorders.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I am a practicing physician in a 12-provider private practice.

The New York Times

Perrault's training was in mathematics and medicine, and he was a practicing physician.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Pressed by economic necessity, Moses took advantage of his medical studies and became a practicing physician.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As a practicing physician, I was very disturbed by "After Sanctions, Doctors Get Drug Company Pay" (front page, June 3).

The New York Times

As a practicing physician, I confess that I learn about the latest medical breakthroughs while reading my morning paper.

The New York Times - Magazine

He was the seventh of seven children, the son of a practicing Mormon and a practicing physician.

The New Yorker

He published nearly 200 research papers in various medical journals over his 63 years as a practicing physician.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to someone as "a practicing physician", ensure the context clarifies their specific field or specialization if relevant (e.g., "a practicing physician specializing in cardiology").

Common error

Avoid using "a practicing physician" when referring to someone who is only involved in medical research or administration and does not directly treat patients. Instead, use more appropriate terms like "medical researcher" or "health administrator".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a practicing physician" functions as a noun phrase acting as a descriptor, typically modifying another noun or pronoun. It identifies someone who is currently engaged in the profession of medicine. As Ludwig suggests, it’s grammatically sound and serves to specify a doctor's active professional status.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a practicing physician" is a grammatically correct and common phrase used to describe a doctor actively engaged in their profession. Ludwig confirms its validity and common usage across various contexts. As seen in examples, it frequently appears in news articles, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. When using the phrase, it's essential to ensure clarity by specifying the physician's specialization when relevant. Avoid using it when referring to doctors not currently involved in direct patient care. Remember, as Ludwig's examples demonstrate, using precise language enhances the clarity and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an active medical doctor

Replaces "practicing" with "active", emphasizing the doctor's current engagement in medical work.

a clinical doctor

Highlights the clinical aspect of the physician's work, focusing on patient care.

a medical practitioner

Uses a more formal term, "practitioner", to denote someone engaged in the practice of medicine.

a licensed medical professional

Focuses on the professional and certified status of the physician.

a doctor in practice

Rephrases the sentence structure while retaining the core meaning.

a physician seeing patients

Emphasizes the direct patient interaction aspect of the physician's role.

a working doctor

A more informal way to say that the doctor is currently employed in their profession.

a currently practicing doctor

Adds emphasis on the present, ongoing nature of the physician's practice.

a healthcare provider

Broader term that includes physicians but also other medical professionals.

a general practitioner

Specifies a type of practicing physician, indicating a focus on primary care.

FAQs

How can I use "a practicing physician" in a sentence?

You can use "a practicing physician" to describe a doctor currently engaged in medical practice. For example, "She consulted "a practicing physician" about her symptoms".

What is another way to say "a practicing physician"?

Alternatives include "an active physician", "a clinical doctor", or "a medical practitioner", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "a practicing physician" or "a physician practicing"?

"A practicing physician" is the more common and natural phrasing. "A physician practicing" is grammatically correct but less frequently used.

What's the difference between "a practicing physician" and "a retired physician"?

"A practicing physician" is currently engaged in medical practice, seeing patients and providing medical care, whereas "a retired physician" is no longer actively practicing medicine.