at whose death

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at whose death" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing the passing of a person, often in a formal or literary manner. Example: "The estate was divided among the heirs at whose death the family home would be inherited."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Paul was the son of a Huguenot refugee, at whose death he became a ward of the Earl of Shaftesbury.

Encyclopedia Britannica

One ditty lists all the kings and queens, ending with the catchy "Ned, George, Ned, George, at whose death came a second Elizabeth".

The New York Times

She was the eighth daughter of Richard Potter, a businessman, at whose death she inherited a private income of £1,000 a year, and Laurencina Heyworth, daughter of a Liverpool merchant.

Encyclopedia Britannica

When the King and Queen were executed in 1793, he declared himself regent for his nephew, the dauphin Louis XVII, at whose death, in June 1795, he proclaimed himself Louis XVIII.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There is a sculpture of the beautiful face of Antinous, at whose death Emperor Hadrian "wept like a woman"; a battered copper coin showing the poet Sappho, whose surviving fragments of erotic poetry were so intense that the Victorians called all women who loved women after her native Lesbos; and a 20-year-old tin badge demanding, "how dare you presume I'm heterosexual".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

It hurts to consider this against what might be a tragic oversight in the case of Brittany Murphy, a stereotypical SWAG picture of American Disordered Eating, who may not have had an eating disorder at all, whose death is still, ultimately unsolved.

Huffington Post

For this article which aims to describe the end-of-life circumstances of those dying at home, we selected only all interviews regarding those who died at home and whose death was, according to the GP, not 'sudden and totally unexpected' (n = 254).

BMC Family Practice

"Experience, remember, above all feel!" Katharine is haunted by the memory of her son Walter, tenderly evoked by David Foubert, whose death at the hands of gay bashers only reinforced her guilt at being unable to accept his homosexuality.

The New York Times

When English cities were convulsed with riots in 2011, the community at the heart of it was the same one that had produced grime: Mark Duggan, whose death at the hands of the police kickstarted the riots, had been a childhood friend of several grime MCs from Tottenham, even appearing in a Skepta video.

The Guardian - Music

Ledger was a devastatingly good actor, whose death at the age of 28 caught us all by surprise.

The Guardian - Film

But Jeremy Beadle, whose death at 59 has merited that coverage in today's Sun and Mirror, was a figure of surprisingly wide appeal.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at whose death" primarily in formal or literary contexts to maintain a respectful and elevated tone when discussing the passing of an individual.

Common error

Avoid using "at whose death" in informal settings. Opt for simpler phrases like "after they died" or "when they died" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at whose death" functions as an adverbial phrase indicating a specific point in time following someone's passing. It introduces a clause specifying when a particular event or action occurs, similar to the examples Ludwig provides.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

33%

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at whose death" is a formal phrase used to indicate the time when something happens after someone has died. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and best suited for formal or literary contexts. While it's not incorrect, the frequency is considered rare, with its presence noted in encyclopedias, news media, and scientific publications. For more casual settings, simpler alternatives like "after their death" or "when they died" are more appropriate. Remember to consider your audience and the overall tone when deciding whether to use this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the time of their death

Adds emphasis to the moment of death as a specific point in time.

upon their demise

Replaces "death" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing the end of life.

following their passing

Uses a gentler term for "death", focusing on the act of passing away.

after they died

A simpler, more direct way of stating the sequence of events.

once they had died

Focuses on the completion of the act of dying, setting the stage for subsequent events.

when they perished

Employs a more literary term for death, suggesting a sense of loss or destruction.

on the occasion of their death

Highlights the event of death as a significant occasion.

subsequent to their decease

Uses a formal and somewhat distant term for death.

with the cessation of their life

A very formal and somewhat clinical way to describe death.

after their expiration

A more clinical and impersonal way to refer to death.

FAQs

How can I use "at whose death" in a sentence?

The phrase "at whose death" is used to indicate a point in time following someone's passing. For example, "The inheritance was determined, at whose death the estate would be divided".

What's a simpler alternative to "at whose death"?

You can use alternatives like "after their death" or "when they died" for a less formal tone.

Is "at whose death" appropriate for all types of writing?

No, "at whose death" is more suitable for formal or literary writing. It might sound out of place in casual conversation or informal contexts.

What's the difference between "at whose death" and "upon their death"?

"At whose death" is slightly more formal and literary than "upon their death", though they are largely interchangeable in meaning. The choice depends on the desired tone and style of your writing.