critical condition

USAGE SUMMARY

"critical condition" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a serious, often life-threatening health issue that requires urgent medical attention. For example, "The patient was rushed to the hospital in critical condition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Three were in critical condition.

The New York Times

She remains in critical condition.

The New York Times

Another is in critical condition.

The New Yorker

He is in critical condition.

The New York Times

He was in critical condition.

The New York Times

He remains in critical condition.

The New York Times

She is in critical condition.

The New Yorker

One remains in critical condition.

The New York Times

One was in critical condition.

The New York Times

He is hospitalized in critical condition.

The New York Times

Two victims are in critical condition.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting on someone's health, use "critical condition" to convey the severity of their situation accurately. Ensure the context supports such a strong term.

Common error

Avoid using "critical condition" if the situation is serious but not life-threatening. Using a less severe term like "serious condition" or "unstable condition" might be more appropriate in such instances.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "critical condition" is as a noun phrase that typically functions as a predicate nominative or object complement. Ludwig examples confirm this, showing how it describes a person's state, often after an accident or illness, consistent with Ludwig AI's statement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

1%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "critical condition" is a frequently used phrase, especially in news and media, to describe a serious, often life-threatening situation requiring immediate attention. As Ludwig AI notes, it is grammatically sound and serves to convey the severity of health issues or unstable situations. While alternatives exist, "critical condition" is direct and widely understood. Be mindful of its strong connotation to avoid overstating less severe scenarios. Using "critical condition" appropriately ensures clarity and emphasizes the urgency of the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

life-threatening state

Emphasizes the potential for loss of life, highlighting the urgency of the situation.

grave state

Uses "grave" to suggest a serious and worrying situation, often related to health.

serious condition

A more general term, but still indicates a concerning health status.

precarious state

Highlights the instability and uncertainty of the situation.

unstable condition

Focuses on the fluctuating and unpredictable nature of the situation.

severe condition

Emphasizes the intensity and seriousness of the health issue.

dangerous state

Highlights the risk and potential harm involved.

perilous situation

Indicates a situation fraught with danger and risk.

dire straits

Suggests a desperate and urgent situation, often implying a lack of options.

high-risk situation

Focuses on the elevated level of risk and potential for negative outcomes.

FAQs

How is "critical condition" generally used in a sentence?

The phrase "critical condition" typically describes someone's state of health after a severe accident or illness. For example, "The patient was rushed to the hospital and is now in "critical condition"".

What are some alternatives to "critical condition"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "critical condition" include "life-threatening state", "grave state", or "serious condition".

Is it appropriate to use "critical condition" to describe a non-medical situation?

While primarily used in medical contexts, "critical condition" can sometimes describe the state of an object or organization. However, it's better to use alternatives like "precarious state" or "unstable condition" in these cases.

What distinguishes "critical condition" from "serious condition"?

"Critical condition" indicates an immediate risk to life, requiring urgent intervention. "Serious condition" implies a severe but not necessarily immediately life-threatening state. Using them interchangeably is wrong.