in intensive care

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in intensive care" is a correct and usable phrase in written english.
It is often used to describe a medical situation in which a person or animal is receiving continuous and close monitoring, usually in a hospital or other healthcare facility. For example: "Bob was taken to the hospital and placed in intensive care after suffering a heart attack."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As Polly Toynbee says, our NHS is "in intensive care".

Vice

He remains in intensive care.

Independent

She was in intensive care.

The New Yorker

She remains in intensive care.

The Economist

He is in intensive care.

The New York Times

She died in intensive care.

The New York Times

He was put in intensive care.

Independent

"But Guaraní is in intensive care".

The New York Times

She ended up in intensive care.

The New York Times

He was in intensive care.

The Washington Post

Neither are in intensive care.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a patient's condition, be specific about the reasons they are "in intensive care" to provide context and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "in intensive care" when the patient is simply hospitalized. Intensive care indicates a higher level of monitoring and specialized treatment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in intensive care" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, indicating the location or state of being under specialized medical supervision. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used. Examples show it describing patients' conditions after surgery, accidents, or severe illnesses.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in intensive care" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to describe a medical situation where a patient receives specialized and continuous monitoring. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is widely recognized and used in various contexts. Predominantly featured in news and media sources, it is also seen in scientific and formal business writing. The phrase indicates a serious condition and a high level of medical attention. For clarity, avoid using it when a patient is only generally hospitalized, saving it instead for scenarios requiring a high degree of monitoring and specialized treatment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in critical care

Focuses specifically on critical medical situations.

in the ICU

A more abbreviated, medical-field specific term.

receiving intensive treatment

Emphasizes the treatment aspect rather than the location.

under intensive observation

Highlights the monitoring aspect of care.

in high-dependency unit

Refers to a similar but potentially less acute care setting.

hospitalized in serious condition

Broadly indicates a severe medical state requiring hospitalization.

under round-the-clock care

Highlights the continuous nature of the care being provided.

in acute care

Indicates short-term treatment for severe injury or episode of illness, an urgent intervention.

in specialized care

Highlights the unique expertise involved in the treatment, not the location.

in a life-threatening condition

Focuses on the severity of the patient's condition.

FAQs

How is "in intensive care" used in a sentence?

It's used to indicate that someone is receiving specialized medical attention and continuous monitoring, typically in a hospital setting. For example, "After the surgery, she was placed "in intensive care"."

What does it mean when someone is described as being "in intensive care"?

It means they require a high level of medical support and close monitoring, usually due to a serious illness or injury. It signifies a critical medical condition necessitating specialized care.

Are there alternative phrases to "in intensive care"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "in critical care", "receiving intensive treatment", or "under intensive observation" depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "in intensive care" and "in the hospital"?

"In the hospital" is a general term indicating someone is receiving medical care in a hospital. "In intensive care" specifies that the person is in a specialized unit requiring a higher level of care and monitoring than a standard hospital ward.