dying

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'dying' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it as both a verb and an adjective, depending on the context. For example, you could say, "He was dying of a terminal illness," or "Her dying wish was to leave the world a better place."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Are even the French finally coming round to the idea that smoking in movies is a dying trend?

The Guardian - Film

Schiele, having also contracted the virus, lasted another three days before dying early in the morning of 31 October.

The Guardian - Arts

Some girls started their periods and thought they were dying of cancer.

The Guardian - Opinion

The ice zombies themselves were a little bit Evil Dead (although as a fan of Bruce Campbell I don't entirely hate that) but Meera's near-paralysing grief as her brother lay dying in her arms was beautifully played by Ellie Kendrick.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Even at 18, a mentally voracious young woman cannot live entirely upon scenery," she wrote, adding that she would have been in danger of "dying of spontaneous combustion" had she not had her diary to write and an interesting curate in a nearby village.

The Guardian - Film

Salmond will argue to his dying days – no doubt clutching a copy of a Guardian article from March 2014 which quoted an anonymous UK minister saying that "of course" a currency union would be formed – that the chancellor's intervention amounted to "bluff, bluster and bullying".

The Guardian

The best of America was the best of the world … France was a land, England was a people, but America, having about it still that quality of the idea, was harder to utter – it was the graves at Shiloh and the tired, drawn, nervous faces of its great men, and the country boys dying in the Argonne for a phrase that was empty before their bodies withered.

The Guardian - Books

The ancient race of vinyl enthusiasts who had once haunted record stores and swap meets was dying out, superseded by a mutant breed of torrent obsessives.

The Guardian - Books

Related: Media and communications: the first line of defence against Ebola That all changed last August, by which time the virus had killed more than 1,000 people, and MSF doctors in Liberia were being forced to turn away dying patients as treatment centres were full.

The Guardian

Sinason talks of a popular ritual in which a child is stitched inside the belly of a dying animal before being 'reborn to satan'.

The Guardian

Marine scientists maintain the capture process imposes huge physiological stress upon dolphins and increases their chances of dying once they are in captivity – hence the need to constantly replenish stocks from the wild.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about sensitive topics like death, consider using "dying" to convey a sense of empathy and realism, but be mindful of the audience and context to avoid causing unnecessary distress. Always prioritize clarity and respect in your language.

Common error

While softening the impact of death is often desirable, avoid excessive use of euphemisms to the point where the meaning becomes unclear or disrespectful. Using direct language like "dying" can sometimes be more honest and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The word "dying" primarily functions as a present participle, often used to describe a state of approaching death or a process that is coming to an end. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage, evident in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "dying" functions primarily as a present participle, depicting the process of approaching death or the end of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. While direct and often emotionally charged, "dying" effectively conveys empathy and realism when discussing sensitive issues. Consider using synonyms like "passing away" or "expiring" to adjust the tone to your audience and context, avoiding excessive euphemisms to maintain clarity and respect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Passing away

A euphemistic alternative, often used to soften the impact of describing death.

Moribund

Describes someone at the point of death.

Expiring

Implies a formal or clinical ending, like the expiration of a contract or a life.

Perishing

Suggests a sudden or violent end.

Deceasing

A formal and somewhat archaic term for dying.

Terminating

A more formal way of indicating the ending of something.

Drawing to a close

Refers to the end of something, like a day, an era, or a life.

Fading away

Suggests a gradual loss of strength or visibility before disappearing completely.

In decline

Indicates a state of deterioration or diminishing health.

Waning

Describes a gradual decrease in power, influence, or intensity.

FAQs

How is the word "dying" used in a sentence?

The word "dying" can be used as a verb, such as in "He is "dying" of cancer", or as an adjective, like in "His "dying" wish was to see his family".

What are some alternatives to the word "dying"?

You can use alternatives like "passing away", "expiring", or "fading" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "dying" and "death"?

"Dying" refers to the process of approaching death, whereas "death" is the state of being dead. "Dying" describes an ongoing action, while "death" is the final result.

Is it appropriate to use "dying" in formal writing?

Yes, "dying" is appropriate in formal writing, especially when discussing medical or social issues related to end-of-life care. However, consider the audience and context to ensure the language is respectful and clear.