diagnosing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "diagnosing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the process of identifying a problem or condition, often in a medical or technical context. Example: "The doctor is diagnosing the patient's symptoms to determine the underlying issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Diagnosing what has gone wrong in the past few years and how we've ended up on the brink of another crisis is the easy bit.

The Guardian - Business

"The health implications we're increasingly diagnosing as a result of obesity include diabetes, arthritis, heart disease and certain types of cancer," he said.

The Guardian

Many of the criteria for diagnosing Sad are the same as those for depression: low mood, lack of energy, inability to enjoy things, irritability and loss of interest in sex.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"That's important for diagnosing [new cases] and for treatment.

The Guardian

The disease poses only a slight risk in rich countries, because tracing, diagnosing and isolating scattered cases is within the scope of their health systems.

The Economist

Only the most intrusive of tests have any chance of diagnosing mental illness, and they can in turn drive a wedge between employee and company.

The Economist

I think it is highly unlikely that a Fed more exposed to popular pressure would have been more aggressive in diagnosing and deflating a housing bubble.Apart from that, Mr Greenspan's quotes are taken somewhat out of context.

The Economist

You also say that the Sri Lankans have graced Lord's only twice, whereas they have played tests there three times: in 1984, 1988 and 1991.DAVID RIMMERHertford Heath, HertfordshireJapan's ailmentSIR Ronald McKinnon is right to emphasise the importance of diagnosing the causes of Japan's prolonged economic slump (By invitation, July 24th).

The Economist

Already, behavioural economics has benefitted enormously from its successes in predicting and diagnosing the crisis.

The Economist

But for autism, rather than for attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, for example, a bigger challenge is diagnosing too late or not at all.

The Economist

He also lashed out at Barack Obama's handling of the economy, diagnosing a "terrible" mood in the markets and described America as a "pathetic exporter".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "diagnosing", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being identified. Be specific about the condition or problem being assessed to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "diagnosing" too liberally in everyday situations. While technically correct, it can sound overly formal or clinical. Opt for words like "identifying" or "assessing" in more informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "diagnosing" is that of a present participle or gerund, typically used to describe an ongoing action or process. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English, indicating its established presence in the language.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "diagnosing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, employed to describe the process of identifying problems across various fields, from medicine to economics. Its usage is most common in news, science, and encyclopedia contexts. While technically correct, remember to consider the formality of your context; in casual settings, alternatives like "identifying" or "assessing" may be more appropriate. By understanding its function and purpose, writers can use "diagnosing" effectively to communicate analytical insights.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

identifying

Focuses on recognizing or establishing what something is.

assessing

Emphasizes evaluating the nature or extent of something.

determining

Highlights the process of finding something out definitively.

evaluating

Stresses the appraisal or judgment of something's significance.

analyzing

Involves a detailed examination to understand something's nature or elements.

investigating

Implies a systematic or formal inquiry to discover and examine the facts of an incident, allegation, etc. so as to establish the truth.

pinpointing

Suggests identifying something exactly or precisely.

ascertaining

Focuses on finding something out for certain; making sure of.

detecting

Emphasizes discovering or noticing something not obviously apparent.

recognizing

Highlights identifying something previously known.

FAQs

How is "diagnosing" used in a sentence?

In a sentence, "diagnosing" functions as a gerund or present participle, often describing the action of identifying a problem. For example, "The doctor is "diagnosing" the illness" or "Diagnosing the issue early can prevent complications".

What are some alternatives to "diagnosing"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "diagnosing" include "identifying", "assessing", or "determining". These words can provide a similar meaning while varying the tone or formality.

When is it appropriate to use "diagnosing" instead of "identifying"?

"Diagnosing" is most appropriate when referring to the process of identifying a medical condition or a technical fault. "Identifying" is a more general term and can be used in a broader range of contexts.

What's the difference between "diagnosing" and "troubleshooting"?

"Diagnosing" refers to identifying the cause or nature of a problem or illness. "Troubleshooting", on the other hand, refers specifically to the process of discovering and alleviating the reasons a product or process fails. You would use "troubleshooting" when you know there's an issue, but are unsure of its cause.