go into a coma

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "go into a coma" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a state of unconsciousness or a medical condition where a person is unresponsive and cannot be awakened. Example: "After the accident, the doctors feared he might go into a coma."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Then I go into a coma for an hour.

The New York Times - Magazine

"That's why you collapse and go into a coma".

The New Yorker

I told him, "I'll probably go into a coma if I eat that".

The New York Times - Magazine

They'd inject you with insulin and you'd go into a coma.

The Guardian

Most just go into a coma and die, and by then they are in such pain that it's really a blessing".

The New York Times

"How do I actually die from the cancer?" "You lose consciousness, go into a coma, and either you stop breathing or your heart stops.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

In fact, hummingbirds go into a coma-like state at night in order to preserve enough energy to live to see another day.

The Economist

Alan Knight, 47, of Swansea, South Wales, pretended to be a paraplegic whose condition was so bad he would frequently experience seizures and go into a coma-like state in order to avoid fraud charges and facing trial.

Independent

She went into a coma.

Independent

Richard goes into a coma from which he never awakes.

The New Yorker

He went into a coma Thursday and never regained consciousness.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "go into a coma" to clearly describe a state of prolonged unconsciousness caused by illness, injury, or other medical conditions.

Common error

Avoid using "go into a coma" metaphorically to describe situations lacking genuine medical severity; doing so trivializes the condition and can be insensitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "go into a coma" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of entering a prolonged state of unconsciousness. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and wide usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

16%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "go into a coma" is a grammatically sound and commonly used verb phrase that describes the action of entering a state of prolonged unconsciousness. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and general discussions about health. While related phrases like "fall into a coma" or "lapse into a coma" offer nuanced alternatives, it's crucial to avoid using "go into a coma" metaphorically in non-medical settings to maintain sensitivity and accuracy. Remember, "lose consciousness" is the most semantically similar alternative in case you want to replace it, as well as "become comatose".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fall into a coma

Focuses on the sudden or accidental nature of entering a coma.

lapse into a coma

Emphasizes a gradual decline into unconsciousness.

enter a comatose state

Uses more formal language to describe the condition.

become comatose

Indicates a change in condition to being in a coma.

sink into unconsciousness

Describes a broader state of losing consciousness, not specifically a coma.

lose consciousness

A more general term for becoming unaware.

become unresponsive

Highlights the lack of response to external stimuli.

experience a loss of consciousness

A more clinical way to describe losing consciousness.

succumb to a coma

Emphasizes the overpowering nature of the condition.

develop a coma

Focuses on the development of the medical condition.

FAQs

How is "go into a coma" used in a sentence?

The phrase "go into a coma" is used to describe a state of prolonged unconsciousness, as in, "After the accident, the patient "went into a coma"."

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

While both phrases are similar, "fall into a coma" often implies a sudden or accidental onset, whereas "go into a coma" is a more general term for entering a state of prolonged unconsciousness.

What can I say instead of "go into a coma"?

Alternatives include "lapse into a coma", "become comatose", or "lose consciousness", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

What causes someone to "go into a coma"?

A person might "go into a coma" due to various reasons such as severe head trauma, stroke, drug overdose, or certain underlying medical conditions that affect brain function.