in a stable condition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'in a stable condition' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a person's condition after an unexpected or traumatic event. For example, "The patient was taken to the hospital after the car crash, but he is now in a stable condition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She remains in a stable condition.

Independent

Her father was in a stable condition.

Independent

He is currently in a stable condition.

Independent

He is in hospital in a stable condition.

The Guardian

He said De Mérode was in a stable condition.

The Guardian

He is in a stable condition in hospital.

The Guardian

He is in a stable condition in a Sydney hospital.

The Guardian

Both remain at the hospital in a stable condition".

The Guardian

He was said to be in a stable condition.

The Telegraph

Smith remains in a stable condition at Toowoomba hospital.

The Guardian

She remains in hospital in a stable condition.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting medical news, use "in a stable condition" to assure the audience that a patient's vital signs are under control and not immediately life-threatening. This provides a concise and reassuring update without overstating the prognosis.

Common error

Don't simply state someone is "stable" without specifying what is stable about their condition. "In a stable condition" provides essential context, indicating medical stability rather than, for example, emotional or financial stability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a stable condition" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun (typically a person) to describe their health status. Ludwig shows that it's primarily used to provide information on someone's medical state after an incident or illness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in a stable condition" is a widely used phrase to describe a patient's health status, indicating that their vital signs are under control and not deteriorating. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence in news and media. While alternatives exist, such as "medically stable" or "condition is stabilized", "in a stable condition" is a standard and reliable choice for conveying this specific meaning, particularly in medical or formal contexts. Remember to use it when a patient's immediate health is not at critical risk, providing reassurance without overstating the prognosis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

medically stable

This alternative is more concise and directly emphasizes the medical aspect of stability.

condition is stabilized

This rephrasing uses a verb-based structure, focusing on the action of stabilizing the condition.

maintained stability

This implies that stability has been achieved and is being sustained.

not deteriorating

This focuses on the absence of decline, highlighting that the condition is not worsening.

showing signs of recovery

This suggests a positive trend, implying improvement rather than just stability.

no longer critical

This specifies that the condition has improved from a critical state to a less severe one.

holding steady

This is an informal way to say the condition is not changing, typically used in casual contexts.

experiencing no complications

This highlights the absence of new medical problems, suggesting a smooth recovery.

doing better

This is a general statement of improvement, less specific than "in a stable condition".

out of danger

This indicates that the person is no longer at risk of death or serious complications.

FAQs

How is "in a stable condition" typically used in medical contexts?

It's generally used to describe a patient whose vital signs (like heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing) are under control and not rapidly deteriorating. It doesn't necessarily mean they are fully recovered, but that their immediate health is not at critical risk.

What's the difference between "in critical condition" and "in a stable condition"?

"In critical condition" indicates a patient is seriously ill or injured with a high risk of death, while "in a stable condition" means their vital signs are controlled and not immediately life-threatening, although they may still require medical care.

Are there situations where I shouldn't use "in a stable condition"?

Avoid using it if the patient's condition is actively worsening or if their vital signs are fluctuating wildly. In such cases, terms like "in unstable condition" or "deteriorating" would be more accurate.

What are some less formal ways to say someone is "in a stable condition"?

In informal settings, you might say someone is "doing better", "holding steady", or "out of the woods". However, "in a stable condition" is preferred in professional or medical contexts for its precision.