close to death

USAGE SUMMARY

"close to death" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is on the brink of death or in a critical state of health. For example: After months of battling cancer, the patient was close to death when he was finally brought in for surgery.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Living close to death.

The New Yorker

He was close to death.

The New York Times

He appeared close to death.

The New York Times - Sports

Another was close to death.

The New York Times

"He's been close to death several times".

The New Yorker

Jazz itself hovers close to death.

The New York Times - Arts

Sometimes they are even close to death".

The Guardian

You are always close to death".

The New Yorker

Have you ever come close to death?

The New York Times

Last week, Farinas was said to be close to death.

The New Yorker

Kroenke also knew that Fiszman was close to death.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "close to death", ensure the context clearly establishes the nearness and high probability of death, whether due to illness, injury, or other circumstances.

Common error

Avoid using "close to death" to describe situations that are serious but not life-threatening. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact when describing truly critical scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to death" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun (usually a person or entity) to indicate their precarious state. It typically conveys a situation where survival is uncertain, as seen in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

26%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "close to death" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a situation where someone is nearing death due to severe illness, injury, or other life-threatening circumstances. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for a range of contexts, from news reports to scientific articles, primarily serving to emphasize the severity and precariousness of a situation. While highly descriptive, it's important to avoid exaggeration and use the phrase accurately, ensuring the described scenario genuinely reflects a near-fatal state. Related phrases like "on the brink of death" or "in a critical condition" offer alternative ways to convey similar meanings, providing variety in expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the brink of death

Emphasizes the imminence of death.

near death's door

Uses a metaphorical expression to convey the proximity to death.

at death's door

Similar to "near death's door", highlighting the finality.

on the verge of dying

Emphasizes the process of dying being very near.

in a critical condition

Focuses on the severity of the medical state leading to potential death.

fighting for their life

Highlights the struggle to survive when facing death.

in mortal danger

Highlights the high risk of death due to external threats.

gravely ill

Indicates a very serious illness that poses a high risk of death.

facing imminent demise

A more formal way of saying death is about to happen.

with one foot in the grave

An idiomatic expression to signify old age or illness bringing death closer.

FAQs

How can I use "close to death" in a sentence?

You can use "close to death" to describe someone's condition, such as: "After the accident, he was "close to death" but miraculously survived."

What are some alternatives to "close to death"?

Alternatives include "on the brink of death", "near death's door", or "in a critical condition". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "close to death" in formal writing?

Yes, "close to death" is appropriate for formal writing when accurately describing a severe medical condition or life-threatening situation. However, consider alternatives for more nuanced descriptions.

What's the difference between "near death" and "close to death"?

While both indicate proximity to death, "close to death" often implies a more immediate or imminent threat compared to "near death", which can suggest a more general state of decline.