in the ambulance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in the ambulance" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone or something that is located inside an ambulance, typically during a medical emergency. Example: "The paramedics worked quickly to stabilize the patient in the ambulance before transporting him to the hospital."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She woke up in the ambulance.

The New York Times

The man died in the ambulance.

The Economist

She was in the ambulance.

The New York Times

He was taken away in the ambulance".

The Guardian

"In the ambulance she stopped breathing".

The New York Times

He lies still in the ambulance.

The New York Times

Some treatments can begin in the ambulance.

The New York Times - Health

My colleague in the ambulance was killed.

The Guardian

Most crashes resulted in one fatality, not in the ambulance.

Prehospital Emergency Care

"What happened to the boy in the ambulance?" I asked.

The New York Times

I must have felt safe in the ambulance.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in the ambulance", ensure that the context clearly relates to a situation where medical transport is occurring. For example, focus on actions performed by paramedics or the patient's condition during transport.

Common error

Avoid using "in the ambulance" when describing a general medical setting or a hospital environment. The phrase specifically refers to the period and location of transit within an ambulance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the ambulance" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses by specifying the location or circumstances of an action. As Ludwig AI points out, it indicates where something occurs, specifically within an ambulance. This is evident in examples like, "She woke up in the ambulance" and "He died in the ambulance en route to the hospital."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

21%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in the ambulance" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to specify the location of an event within an ambulance. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use. Its primary function is adverbial, providing contextual information, especially in emergency or medical scenarios. The phrase exhibits a neutral register, suitable for various communication settings. Common usage includes news reports, personal narratives, and medical accounts. The frequency analysis reveals that it is most prevalent in News & Media and Science contexts. To enhance clarity, avoid using "in the ambulance" in general medical contexts; instead, reserve it for situations specifically occurring during medical transport. Related phrases like "within the ambulance" and "during ambulance transport" offer alternative ways to express similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

within the ambulance

Replaces 'in' with 'within', suggesting enclosure and location inside the ambulance.

inside the ambulance

Uses 'inside' instead of 'in', emphasizing the interior space of the ambulance.

during ambulance transport

Focuses on the action of transport by ambulance, changing the phrase's structure.

while being transported in the ambulance

Expands the phrase to describe the action of being moved in the ambulance.

en route to the hospital by ambulance

Highlights the destination and mode of transport, altering the original focus.

during the ambulance ride

Replaces the prepositional phrase with a noun phrase, focusing on the ride itself.

in the emergency vehicle

Uses a more general term, 'emergency vehicle', instead of specifically 'ambulance'.

aboard the ambulance

Employs 'aboard' to indicate being on the ambulance, similar to being on a ship or plane.

during medical transportation

Focuses on the medical aspect of transportation, broadening the context.

while receiving care in transit

Shifts the emphasis to the care being provided during transportation, less specific to ambulances.

FAQs

How can I use "in the ambulance" in a sentence?

Use "in the ambulance" to describe actions or conditions occurring during transport to a medical facility. For example: "The patient's condition deteriorated "in the ambulance", requiring immediate intervention."

What are some alternatives to "in the ambulance"?

Alternatives include phrases like "during ambulance transport", "inside the ambulance", or "while being transported "in the ambulance"", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say 'on the ambulance' instead of "in the ambulance"?

While 'on' can be used for vehicles, "in the ambulance" is generally preferred when referring to the interior space and activities occurring inside. 'On the ambulance' might be used to refer to something physically attached to the outside of the vehicle.

What's the difference between "in the ambulance" and "at the hospital"?

"In the ambulance" refers to the specific context of transport within a medical vehicle, whereas "at the hospital" refers to a location - the hospital itself. They describe different locations and stages of medical care. You might say someone received initial treatment "in the ambulance" and further care at the hospital.