crack of skull

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "crack of skull" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression is "crack in the skull" or "skull fracture." You can use it in medical contexts or when describing an injury to the head. Example: "The patient was rushed to the hospital after suffering a crack in the skull during the accident."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

At the second crack of skull, Annagret gave a terrible cry.

The New Yorker

On other bus journeys, dubious suspension and potholed road surfaces combined to create moments of weightlessness leavened only by the sharp crack of skull on luggage rack above.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

For instance, chimpanzees carefully choose stones for cracking nuts, but they would never crack the skull of an opponent.

Human Nature

Almost daily its police crack the skulls of followers of the Falun Gong, a spiritual group, in Tiananmen Square (the proposed pitch for the beach-volleyball competition).

The Economist

Though they all looked hard enough to crack a skull, Goldberg spoke of their characteristics in terms of porosity.

The New Yorker

Base of skull fracture     9.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Model predictions of skull fracture loads were typically twice the observed level.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

I have no idea but I know it can be applied to vice principal Vernon, who relishes the prospect of "cracking skulls" if any of his students step out of line.

BBC

It then transpires he is still smarting from one of his earliest convictions, in 1979, when he was found guilty of robbing a woman called Pamela Walsh, having been accused of cracking her skull with a shotgun.

The Guardian

I wanted to crack the Shufflers, even at the risk of cracking my skull.

The Guardian - Opinion

Leave it to the Kiwis to turn a PSA about drunkenly cracking the skull of a toddler into a trailer for a Wayans brothers movie.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a skull injury, use medically accurate terms like "skull fracture" or "crack in the skull" for clarity and precision.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "crack of skull" in formal writing. Instead, opt for recognized medical terminology such as "skull fracture" or "crack in the skull" to ensure clarity and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "crack of skull" functions as a noun phrase, attempting to describe a type of head injury. However, Ludwig AI identifies it as non-standard English, suggesting it is grammatically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "crack of skull" appears in some sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as non-standard English. It is grammatically preferable to use phrases like "skull fracture" or "crack in the skull" for clarity and accuracy. Usage occurs primarily in news and media contexts, but more formal or medical settings warrant the standard terminology. Therefore, while the intent is clear, employing established alternatives enhances the precision and credibility of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

skull fracture

Replaces the descriptive phrase with a concise medical term.

crack in the skull

Uses the preposition 'in' to indicate the location of the crack.

fractured skull

Uses the past participle 'fractured' as an adjective to describe the skull.

cranial fracture

Substitutes 'cranial' for 'skull', providing a more formal term.

break in the skull

Replaces 'crack' with 'break', suggesting a more severe injury.

skull injury

Offers a broader term for any damage to the skull.

head trauma

Expands the scope to any traumatic injury to the head.

head wound

Uses general terminology to explain the wound.

traumatic brain injury

Suggests damage to the brain, potentially broader or more severe.

concussion

Suggests only a mild traumatic brain injury.

FAQs

What's the correct way to refer to a skull injury?

The correct and more common ways to refer to a skull injury are "skull fracture" or "crack in the skull". The phrase "crack of skull" is not standard English.

Is "crack of skull" grammatically correct?

No, "crack of skull" is not grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use "crack in the skull" or, more formally, "skull fracture".

What does "skull fracture" mean?

"Skull fracture" is a medical term referring to a break or crack in the bone of the head. A less severe injury could be referred to as "crack in the skull".

When should I use "skull fracture" versus "crack in the skull"?

"Skull fracture" is a formal medical term suitable for professional contexts. "Crack in the skull" is more informal but still acceptable in general conversation. Never use "crack of skull".