dies

USAGE SUMMARY

The word dies is correct and usable in written English.
It functions as a noun or an irregular verb. As a noun, it can refer to a physical object (like a stamping die or a pair of dice) or to the day of death of a person. As a verb, it means "to pass away; to die". For example, "The beloved matriarch of our family dies peacefully at the age of 94."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the Lib Dems' difficulties will not end when and if the tuition fees row dies down.

The Guardian

Related: Mexican man dies during violent police response to teachers protest in Acapulco Six people died and 43 others disappeared last September when a bus convoy carrying a party of student teachers was attacked by municipal police officers, allegedly in league with a local drug cartel.

The Guardian

When a child dies of neglect or abuse, the local authority is accused of incompetence and negligence; if there is an outbreak of foot and mouth disease, claims about inadequate precautions are heard; former employees of companies which have collapsed during the recession demand to know why more has not been done to save their jobs.

The Guardian - Opinion

But after going away to fight the Yankees, Charles dies almost immediately.

The Guardian

Nobody dies in the media business – indeed, nobody leaves their job willingly, which means that nobody should take it too seriously.

The Guardian

The story of 16-year-old-Pearl, struggling to keep going after the death of her mother who dies after giving birth to The Rat as Pearl designates her tiny, newborn sister.

The Guardian

Related: Charles Kennedy, former leader of Liberal Democrats, dies aged 55 He was defined politically by the Iraq war as much as any other event, just as it defined its principal protagonists, Bush and Blair.

The Guardian - Opinion

Charles Kennedy (Former leader of Liberal Democrats dies aged 55, theguardian.com, 2 June) was a rarity in public life: a thoroughly decent man who was honest enough to admit his failings and who was not treated kindly for doing so.

The Guardian

A policeman asked him: "Who gets to decide who lives or dies?" Breivik's answer: me.

The Guardian

It's enough to make you think that Dionte Green's case might follow the same path: young black man murdered without the protocol to investigate the terrible, complicated bias potentially behind the whole familiar crime, nothing changes, another black man dies tomorrow.

The Guardian - Opinion

There's no way she's going to be anything after Mugabe dies.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about death, consider the tone and audience. "Dies" is a direct term, while alternatives like "passes away" might be more appropriate in sensitive contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "dies" in situations where a softer, more respectful term is warranted, such as in obituaries or condolences. Consider phrases like "passed away" or "is no longer with us" in these cases.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "dies" is a verb, specifically the third-person singular present tense of "die." As Ludwig AI notes, its usage indicates the action of ceasing to live. Examples show it used intransitively, describing the end of life or functionality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

2%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "dies" is a verb indicating the cessation of life or function. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and notes its common use across various contexts. While direct, "dies" is considered neutral in tone, though more sensitive situations may warrant alternatives like "passes away". It appears most frequently in News & Media, indicating its use in reporting factual events. Avoiding overuse in overly euphemistic contexts is advisable. Ludwig's analysis provides a clear understanding of the word's function, purpose, and appropriate register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

passes away

A more euphemistic and gentler way to say "dies".

expires

Implies a formal or legal end, similar to how a contract "dies".

perishes

Suggests a sudden or violent death.

ceases to exist

A more clinical and factual way of saying "dies".

kicks the bucket

An informal and humorous idiom for "dies".

gives up the ghost

An older idiom implying failure or death.

is no more

A formal and somber way to announce a death.

is deceased

A legalistic and impersonal term for someone who "dies".

meets their end

Emphasizes the finality and fate aspect of "dies".

is terminated

A very formal term for the end of something (life, a process, etc.).

FAQs

What can I say instead of "dies"?

You can use alternatives like "passes away", "expires", or "perishes" depending on the context.

How is "dies" used in a sentence?

The word "dies" is a verb. Example: "The flower dies without water."

Is it correct to say "die" instead of "dies"?

No, "die" is the infinitive form, while "dies" is the third-person singular present tense. Use "dies" when the subject is a singular noun or pronoun (he, she, it).

What is the difference between "dies" and "dead"?

"Dies" is a verb indicating the act of ceasing to live. "Dead" is an adjective describing the state of being no longer alive.