in a coma when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in a coma when" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of being unconscious or unresponsive at a specific time or event. Example: "He was in a coma when the doctors finally decided to perform the surgery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

This person was presumably in a coma when Argo won.

The Guardian - Film

He was in a coma when he got there.

The New York Times - Sports

He was in a coma when I arrived, but I held his hand and did tell him.

The New York Times

At a press conference in Grenoble, doctors said he was in a coma when he arrived at the hospital and had to be operated on immediately.

The Guardian - Sport

The man was already in a coma when he was brought to the Moroccan hospital and died shortly afterwards, doctors said.

The New York Times

In the process, he also unwittingly kidnaps the billionaire's spoilt daughter, Sonia (Minissha Lamba), putting her in a coma when he drives straight into a tree.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

In 2014, Whibley was back in the headlines after he was put in an induced coma when his liver and kidney collapsed from an alcohol addiction.

Vice

Ste is left in a coma and when he wakes he can not remember everything that happened prior to the crash.

Wikipedia

Mikea had been in a coma since March 5, when she was taken to Glendale Memorial Hospital from her grandparents' home — where she and Lim were staying — with severe head injuries, police said.

Los Angeles Times

A Prague rescue service spokeswoman, Jirina Ernestova, said Jamal, 56, had been put in a medically induced coma when he first arrived at Prague military hospital.

The Guardian

Prague rescue service spokeswoman Jirina Ernestova said al-Jamal was placed in a medically induced coma when he first arrived at Prague Military Hospital.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "in a coma when", ensure that the context clearly defines the event or condition that occurred during the period of unconsciousness. Providing specific details enhances clarity and understanding for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "in a coma when" in contexts where the relationship between the coma and the subsequent event is unclear. Instead, restructure the sentence to explicitly show the cause-and-effect or temporal connection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a coma when" functions as a prepositional phrase acting as an adverbial modifier. It specifies the temporal context of a situation, indicating when an event occurred relative to a period of unconsciousness. Ludwig provides examples showing its use in news reports and medical contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

12%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in a coma when" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that serves as an adverbial modifier, specifying the timing of an event relative to a period of unconsciousness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used across various contexts, primarily in news and media, but also in science and encyclopedias. While it maintains a neutral register, clarity is essential in its use to avoid ambiguity. For alternatives, consider "while comatose" or "during the coma" depending on the desired emphasis. Proper usage enhances understanding by providing crucial temporal context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a coma at the time

Highlights the temporal aspect by specifying "at the time".

during the coma

Emphasizes the coma itself as the period of time in question.

while comatose

Focuses on the state of being comatose as the timeframe during which something else occurs.

during the period of coma

Adds a slightly more formal tone by using 'period of coma'.

while in a comatose state

Replaces 'coma' with the more descriptive 'comatose state'.

when in a state of coma

Rephrases the core concept to emphasize the 'state' of coma.

during unconsciousness

Substitutes 'coma' for the broader term 'unconsciousness'.

in a coma as

Uses "as" instead of "when" to indicate the time frame of the coma.

being comatose when

Begins with the state and describes being comatose instead of being in a coma.

while in an unresponsive condition

Uses a more clinical tone by describing an unresponsive condition.

FAQs

How can I use "in a coma when" in a sentence?

Use "in a coma when" to describe events occurring while someone is unconscious. For example, "He was "in a coma when" his family arrived at the hospital".

What are some alternatives to "in a coma when"?

Alternatives include "while comatose", "during the coma", or "unconscious at the time". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "in coma when" instead of "in a coma when"?

The correct phrase is "in a coma when". The article "a" is necessary because "coma" is a countable noun. Omitting "a" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "in a coma when" and "after waking from a coma"?

"In a coma when" refers to events that happened during the period of unconsciousness, whereas "after waking from a coma" describes events occurring after consciousness is regained.