critically injured

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "critically injured" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone who has sustained severe or life-threatening injuries. Example: The victim of the car accident was critically injured and had to be rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Scalise was critically injured and remains in critical condition.

Vice

All were critically injured.

The New York Times

He was critically injured.

The New York Times

One child was critically injured.

The New York Times

Ms. Garcia was critically injured.

The New York Times

John son was critically injured.

The New York Times

Several health workers are critically injured.

The Economist

A Seattle man was also critically injured.

The Guardian

Sister-in-law killed, brother critically injured.

The New York Times

Only a small number were critically injured.

The Guardian

The younger sister was also critically injured.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting on incidents, use “critically injured” to convey the severity of someone's condition without sensationalizing the news. Avoid adding emotional commentary to maintain objectivity.

Common error

Avoid using “critically injured” for minor injuries. Reserve this term for situations where the injuries are life-threatening and require immediate, intensive medical intervention.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "critically injured" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun (typically a person or people) to describe the severity of their injuries. Ludwig AI confirms it's a correct expression. It highlights the life-threatening nature of the injuries.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "critically injured" is a common and grammatically sound adjectival phrase used to describe individuals with life-threatening injuries. Ludwig AI confirms the expression is correct. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to convey the severity of a person's condition in a neutral, informative manner. While synonyms like “"seriously injured"” exist, "critically injured" specifically highlights the immediate threat to life, making it crucial to reserve this term for appropriately severe situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

severely wounded

Emphasizes the infliction of a wound that is serious.

gravely hurt

Highlights the serious nature and potential long-term consequences of the injuries.

badly injured

A more general term indicating a significant level of injury.

seriously injured

Indicates the injuries are severe and require immediate medical attention.

life-threatening injuries

Focuses on the potential for the injuries to result in death.

in critical condition

Describes the patient's state as unstable and requiring intensive care.

fighting for their life

Highlights the struggle to survive due to the severity of the injuries.

sustained major trauma

Emphasizes the severe physical damage caused by the injury.

on the brink of death

Suggests the person is very close to dying because of their injuries.

in a life-or-death situation

Highlights that the injuries pose an immediate threat to the person's survival.

FAQs

How is “critically injured” different from “seriously injured”?

While both terms describe severe injuries, “critically injured” indicates a condition that is immediately life-threatening, whereas “"seriously injured"” suggests severe injuries that require prompt medical attention but may not be immediately life-threatening.

What are some synonyms for “critically injured”?

Alternatives include “"severely wounded"”, “"gravely hurt"”, or “"in critical condition"”, each conveying a similar sense of severe injury.

Is it appropriate to use “critically injured” in informal contexts?

While grammatically correct, “critically injured” is more commonly used in formal reporting, such as news articles or medical reports, rather than in casual conversation. In informal settings, you might opt for less clinical terms like “"badly injured"”.

How should I use “critically injured” in a sentence?

Use “critically injured” to describe someone's state after a severe accident or attack. For example, “The driver was critically injured and airlifted to a nearby hospital” or “Several civilians were critically injured in the explosion”.