cure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to healing, remedying, or solving a problem, particularly in medical or metaphorical situations. Example: "The researchers are hopeful that their new treatment will cure the disease."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And people know that promises of quick fixes and more spending this country can't afford, at times like this, are like the promises of a quack doctor selling a miracle cure".We do not offer that today.

The Guardian

It's only going to get worse … There is no cure.

The Guardian

Unless he learns the difference between the two, we're all in for a terrifying insight into the Murdochian mind: "son james robot" or "best cure piles".

The Guardian - Opinion

I'm a big fan of online activism; it's been pejoratively deemed "slacktivism" by people who think effective political action must involve physical risk, but not every cure is appropriate for every ill.

The Guardian - Opinion

The boost is an enormous help to a small charity looking after sufferers of a debilitating, little understood disease that has no cure and kills five people a day in the UK.

The Guardian

"We fund world-class research into the causes and ultimately to find a treatment or cure.

The Guardian

"Realism because you can't cure problems that were decades in the making overnight.

The Guardian

"With ragwort poisoning, there is no cure and the only effective prevention is elimination of the plants," RSPCA inspector Nick Welch.

The Guardian

Headlines last week of the "key to a cure" were compelling reading for those who live in constant fear of a life-threatening reaction.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The other big criticism of the emergency plan is that the cure may be worse than the disease.

The Guardian - Business

Related: Patient's shocking death alone in a public toilet made me question end-of-life care Doctors, in particular, are trained to cure but as people live longer with long-term conditions, we need a different approach.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be mindful of the context; "cure" can apply to non-medical situations, like "a cure for boredom" or "a cure for poverty".

Common error

Avoid using "cure" loosely when referring to treatments that only manage symptoms. Accurately represent the treatment's capabilities; if it doesn't fully eliminate the disease, use terms like "manage", "treat", or "alleviate" instead.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "cure" is as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it refers to a method, device, or medication that restores health. As a verb, it means to restore to health or bring an end to a disease. This dual functionality is evident in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Lifestyle

13%

Business

5%

Less common in

Books

5%

Opinion

5%

TV & Radio

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "cure" is versatile, functioning as both a noun and a verb, primarily related to restoring health or solving problems. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, as well as in discussions related to lifestyle and business. While its grammatical status is correct, it's important to use it accurately, especially in medical contexts, to avoid overstating the effectiveness of treatments. Alternatives like "remedy" or "treatment" can provide nuanced meanings. Understanding the various contexts and potential misinterpretations helps ensure precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remedy

Focuses more on the means of restoring health or solving a problem.

treatment

Highlights the process of applying medical or therapeutic measures.

healing

Emphasizes the process of recovery and restoration of health.

restoration to health

More formal and descriptive, specifying the return to a healthy state.

therapeutic intervention

Refers to a medical or psychological action taken to improve health.

resolution

Shifts the focus to solving a problem or dispute, rather than a medical condition.

alleviation

Implies reducing the severity of symptoms rather than complete recovery.

improvement

Suggests a positive change or betterment, not necessarily a complete fix.

recovery

Emphasizes the process of regaining health or strength after an illness or injury.

corrective measure

Suggests an action taken to fix or improve a situation, not specifically medical.

FAQs

How is "cure" typically used in a sentence?

The word "cure" can be used as both a noun, referring to a method or substance that heals (e.g., "Scientists are searching for a cure for cancer"), and as a verb, meaning to restore someone to health (e.g., "The doctor cured the patient of his illness").

What are some alternatives to the word "cure"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "remedy", "treatment", "heal", or "alleviate" to express similar ideas without repeating the same word.

Which is correct, "cure for" or "cure to"?

The correct preposition to use with "cure" is "for". You would say "cure for a disease" not "cure to a disease."

Can "cure" be used in non-medical contexts?

Yes, "cure" can be used metaphorically to describe solving a problem or improving a situation. For example, "education is often seen as a cure for ignorance".