in the terminal stage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in the terminal stage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, condition, or process that is nearing its end or final phase, often in a medical or metaphorical context. Example: "The patient was diagnosed with cancer in the terminal stage, and the family was informed about the prognosis."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Almost nine out of ten of the reported cases involved people in the terminal stage of cancer.

The New York Times

Carolyn Solomon, whose ovarian cancer was diagnosed in 1989, planned her suicide in the terminal stage of her illness with her two sons, David and Andrew, and her husband, their father, Howard.

The New York Times

At the time and place we meet this older Jim -- "early September , 1923" on a farm in Connecticut -- the real Jim was in a New Jersey sanitarium, nearly blind and in the terminal stage of alcoholism.

The New York Times

In this mouse model a significant decrease in DHA-containing phosphatidylcholines (PCs), in the terminal stage of ALS was shown [132].

Clinical and Translational Medicine

As a result, when a patient is in the terminal stage, the patient or family usually requests for discharge from hospital.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

As the genetic defect causes a dysfunction in the terminal stage of oxidative metabolism, there is little potential for pharmacological intervention.

Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews

Hans is homeless, has pancreatic cancer in the terminal stage and doesn't give himself "more than a year".

Vice

Hans is homeless, has pancreatic cancer in the terminal stage, and doesn't give himself "more than a year".

Vice

I close the door and return to my thoughts... "My son, my son, are you alright?" someone says, both of his hands gripping my left armpit and apparently in the terminal stage of trying to shake me into consciousness.

Huffington Post

Mice were killed by cervical dislocation at 165 dpi, at which time the ME7-infected animals were in the terminal stage of disease.

Plosone

But in most cases, cancer has been detected in the terminal stage and is impossible to be cured [1], [5], [7].

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about medical conditions, use "in the terminal stage" to clearly indicate the final phase of an illness, emphasizing the need for palliative care and end-of-life planning.

Common error

Avoid using "in the terminal stage" when describing conditions that are still treatable or have a chance of recovery. This phrase should be reserved for irreversible conditions where the focus shifts to managing symptoms and ensuring comfort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the terminal stage" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It indicates when something occurs, specifying that it happens during the final or concluding phase of a process, illness, or other defined period. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

71%

News & Media

27%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in the terminal stage" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, especially in scientific and news contexts, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to pinpoint the final phase of a condition or process, commonly in discussions about advanced illnesses. While interchangeable with alternatives like "at the final stage", it carries a particular weight, making it best suited for formal or neutral settings. Remembering to use this phrase accurately, avoiding its application to curable conditions, will ensure clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the final stage

Replaces "terminal" with "final", focusing on the concluding aspect.

in the end stage

Uses "end" instead of "terminal", providing a more direct synonym.

in the concluding phase

Replaces "stage" with "phase", emphasizing the period of completion.

at the last phase

Combines "last" and "phase" to highlight the finality of the period.

in the advanced stages

Highlights the progression to a late point, implying nearness to the end.

at the point of culmination

Emphasizes reaching the highest or final point.

in the dying phase

Directly refers to a phase leading to death or cessation.

at life's end

Focuses on the end of life as the ultimate terminal stage.

in the last throes

Highlights the final struggles or moments before the end.

approaching its end

Shifts focus to the process of nearing the end, rather than being there.

FAQs

How is "in the terminal stage" typically used in a medical context?

In medical contexts, "in the terminal stage" indicates that a disease or condition is nearing its end, with little to no chance of recovery. The focus shifts to palliative care to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life.

What are some alternatives to "in the terminal stage"?

Alternatives include "at the final stage", "in the end stage", or "in the concluding phase", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "in the terminal stage" outside of medical contexts?

Yes, although less common, "in the terminal stage" can be used metaphorically to describe the final phase of any process or project nearing completion. Ensure the context is clear to avoid confusion with medical implications.

What's the difference between "in the terminal stage" and "end-of-life"?

"In the terminal stage" describes the specific phase of a condition, while "end-of-life" refers more broadly to the period surrounding death, including planning, care, and emotional considerations. Both relate to the final period, but "end-of-life" has a wider scope.