fell into a coma

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fell into a coma" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone becomes unconscious and unresponsive due to a medical condition or injury. Example: "After the accident, he fell into a coma and remained unresponsive for several weeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Mr. Van Es fell into a coma a week ago when he suffered a brain aneurysm.

The New York Times

Then he fell into a coma.

The New York Times

Hughes fell into a coma in 2008.

The New Yorker

I fell into a coma.

The Guardian

He fell into a coma.

The New York Times

Severely beaten, Chervochkin fell into a coma.

The New York Times - Magazine

He fell into a coma for sixteen hours.

The New Yorker

Mr. Mountain, then 58, fell into a coma.

The New York Times

Then one day he fell into a coma.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She thrashed against the restraints, then fell into a coma.

The New Yorker

Paret fell into a coma and died 10 days later.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "fell into a coma", ensure the context clearly indicates the cause or preceding event leading to the coma, providing a complete and understandable narrative.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "fell into a coma" without providing sufficient context about the patient's condition. Ensure that the reason or cause of the coma is clear to prevent misunderstanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fell into a coma" functions as a verb phrase indicating a sudden or gradual transition to a state of prolonged unconsciousness. Ludwig examples show it describing consequences of injury or illness. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fell into a coma" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone entering a prolonged state of unconsciousness, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, used to convey the seriousness of a medical situation. While alternatives like "lapsed into a coma" or "became comatose" exist, the original phrase remains a direct and widely understood way to communicate this critical health event. The contexts provided by Ludwig demonstrate its consistent use across various reliable sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lapsed into a coma

Focuses on a gradual transition into unconsciousness rather than a sudden event.

collapsed into a coma

Suggests a sudden and forceful transition into a comatose state.

entered a comatose state

Emphasizes the resulting condition or state of being unconscious.

sunk into a coma

Similar to 'lapsed into', but may imply a deeper, more profound state of unconsciousness.

became comatose

Highlights the change in condition to being in a coma.

slipped into unconsciousness

Indicates a gradual loss of consciousness, not necessarily a coma.

lost consciousness

A more general term for becoming unconscious, without specifying a coma.

succumbed to a coma

Implies a yielding or submission to the condition of a coma.

was rendered unconscious

Highlights the action that caused the person to lose consciousness.

became unresponsive

Describes a lack of response without specifying the reason.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone "fell into a coma"?

It means someone became unconscious and unresponsive for a prolonged period, usually due to illness, injury, or medical intervention.

Are there alternative phrases for "fell into a coma"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "lapsed into a coma", "became comatose", or "slipped into unconsciousness" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What are the typical causes that lead someone to "fall into a coma"?

Common causes include traumatic brain injuries, strokes, diabetic complications, infections, drug overdoses, and oxygen deprivation.

How is the phrase "fell into a coma" generally used in news reports?

In news reports, "fell into a coma" is used to inform the public about someone's critical health condition, often following an accident or sudden medical event. It's used to convey the severity of the situation and the uncertainty of recovery.