in critical condition

USAGE SUMMARY

"in critical condition" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone's health or a situation is very serious and unstable. For example: The patient was admitted to the hospital in critical condition.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Three were in critical condition.

The New York Times

She remains in critical condition.

The New York Times

Another is in critical condition.

The New Yorker

He is in critical condition.

The New York Times

He was in critical condition.

The New York Times

He remains in critical condition.

The New York Times

She is in critical condition.

The New Yorker

He is hospitalized in critical condition.

The New York Times

Two victims are in critical condition.

The New York Times

Ms Davis remains in critical condition.

Independent

He was later reported in critical condition.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting on someone's health, use “in critical condition” to accurately convey the severity and instability of their situation. This term is widely understood and carries significant weight.

Common error

Avoid using "in critical condition" when a patient's condition is serious but stable. Instead, use phrases like "in serious but stable condition" to provide a more accurate assessment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in critical condition" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase modifying a noun (usually a person or patient), indicating their health status. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in critical condition" is a commonly used adjective phrase to describe a severely ill or injured person whose health is unstable and life-threatening. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. Predominantly found in news and media, it conveys urgency and seriousness. Related phrases include "gravely ill" and "life-threatening condition", offering variations in emphasis. When using the phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects the patient's condition, avoiding confusion with stable but serious conditions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Unstable condition

Emphasizes the fluctuating and unpredictable nature of the patient's health.

Life-threatening condition

Highlights the potential for death, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.

Fighting for their life

Highlights the struggle to survive a severe health crisis.

Gravely ill

Focuses solely on the severity of the illness, omitting the aspect of instability.

Seriously ill

Indicates a severe state of illness, but less urgent than "in critical condition".

Extremely unwell

A more direct way of saying that someone is not in a good state of health.

In a serious state

Describes the gravity of the condition, applicable to situations beyond just medical ones.

On death's door

Figurative expression indicating the person is very close to dying.

In dire straits

Emphasizes the severity and urgency of a problematic situation, not exclusively health-related.

Poorly

A less formal way to state that someone is unwell; lacks the urgency of “in critical condition”.

FAQs

How do I use "in critical condition" in a sentence?

Use "in critical condition" to describe a person's severely unstable state of health, such as: "The victim of the accident was rushed to the hospital and is now "in critical condition"."

What are some alternatives to saying "in critical condition"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "gravely ill", "life-threatening condition", or "unstable condition" as alternatives.

Is it appropriate to use "in critical condition" for non-medical situations?

While primarily used in medical contexts, you can use similar phrases like "in dire straits" or "in a serious state" to describe a severely problematic or precarious situation.

What does it mean when someone is described as being "in critical condition"?

It means the person's health is severely compromised and unstable, requiring immediate and intensive medical intervention. Their condition is life-threatening and could change rapidly.