enter a coma

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "enter a coma" is not correct in English; it should be "enter a coma" instead of "enter a coma." This phrase is typically used in medical contexts to describe a state of unconsciousness or unresponsiveness.
Example: "After the accident, the patient was rushed to the hospital where doctors feared he might enter a coma."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Finally, the infected individual begins to bleed internally and externally, and in some very extreme cases the patient may have neurological damage or enter a coma.

Harvard University

Ms. Sherman's film, about sisters coping with their father's terminal illness, had been rejected by the nation's pre-eminent independent film festival, and Ms. Sherman was in shock, about to enter "a coma for a week," as she put it.

The New York Times

If a person's BAC inches toward 0.3, they can also enter a coma or it can be lethal.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

But, after she disobeys her father's order to punish her step-cousin Siegmund, Wotan's illegitimate son (who has already impregnated his twin sister Sieglinde, Wotan's illegitimate daughter), Brünnhilde is condemned to enter a coma-like sleep that can only be broken by the kiss of a hero whose love for her surpasses fear of her father.

The Guardian - Music

Pyongyang reported that Warmbier contracted botulism, was given a sedative, and entered a coma.

The New Yorker

N. J.'s mother-in-law, a beloved granny, enters a coma.

The New York Times

Patients can also receive euthanasia if they have clearly stated it before entering a coma or similar vegetative state.

The Guardian

On that day, his mother entered a coma when she fell from her horse and struck her head during a fox hunt, and she will not recover consciousness.

The New York Times - Books

That file was never opened further, however; the following day his father himself had a huge stroke, entered a coma and died five days later.

The Guardian - Books

His wife, Nellie McCall, said Mr. McCall had cancer and entered a coma on Friday, the day before his pardon was approved.

The New York Times

There were reports that he had stopped eating, entered a coma and become depressed, but officials deemed him well enough to make the trip.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer using "fall into a coma" or "go into a coma". These are the idiomatic and grammatically accepted alternatives to "enter a coma".

Common error

Avoid using "enter a coma". While understandable, it sounds unnatural to native English speakers. Opt for the more conventional phrases "fall into a coma" or "go into a coma".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "enter a coma" functions as a verb phrase describing the action of transitioning into a state of prolonged unconsciousness. While Ludwig AI acknowledges its existence in certain texts, it also points out that this particular phrasing is not grammatically ideal. This contrasts with more common alternatives.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

18%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "enter a coma" can be found in various sources, it's not considered grammatically ideal. As noted by Ludwig AI, the more idiomatic and widely accepted alternatives are "fall into a coma" or "go into a coma". These alternatives are preferred for their natural sound and grammatical correctness. Though present in news, academic, and wiki contexts, it's advisable to opt for the more standard phrases in both formal and informal writing to ensure clarity and correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fall into a coma

Replaces "enter" with "fall into", emphasizing the suddenness and passivity of the state.

go into a coma

Uses "go into" instead of "enter", offering a more common and slightly less formal alternative.

slip into a coma

Employs "slip into" to suggest a gradual and often imperceptible transition to a comatose state.

descend into a coma

Uses "descend into" to create a more dramatic and figurative image of entering a coma.

become comatose

Replaces the entire phrase with a single adjective, indicating the state of being in a coma.

lapse into unconsciousness

Substitutes "coma" with "unconsciousness", broadening the scope to any state of being unaware.

sink into unconsciousness

Implies a gradual and deep decline into a state of unawareness.

develop a coma

Focuses on the medical development of a coma, implying a process rather than an immediate event.

be rendered comatose

Indicates that an external force or condition caused the person to enter a coma.

succumb to a coma

Suggests that the coma is the result of a debilitating condition or illness.

FAQs

Is "enter a coma" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "enter a coma" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. The more idiomatic and accepted phrases are "fall into a coma" or "go into a coma".

What's the difference between "enter a coma" and "fall into a coma"?

"Enter a coma" is less common and less natural-sounding. "Fall into a coma" is the more standard and widely accepted way to describe the onset of a coma.

Are there other ways to say "enter a coma"?

Yes, you can also say "go into a coma", "become comatose", or "lapse into unconsciousness", depending on the specific context.

When should I use "fall into a coma" instead of "enter a coma"?

You should always use "fall into a coma" because is the commonly accepted expression. "Enter a coma" is non-idiomatic and sounds awkward to native English speakers.