mortally

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "mortally" is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used as an adverb meaning severely, extremely, or fatally, and it is often used with the word "wounded." For example, "The soldier was mortally wounded in the battle."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ian Junior's career was mortally curtailed following a series of allegations of political lobbying on behalf of a property developer who was seeking a contract to construct a new visitors' centre at the world famous Giant's Causeway site.

The Guardian

She said Kaarma did not help her as she tried to aid the mortally wounded student, who died a short time later at a Missoula hospital.

The Guardian

Ms Warren's message about the depredations of runaway inequality won't have any teeth unless she puts herself in a position to take a mortally wounding bite out of Ms Clinton's support.

The Economist

The poem is the place for the mortally wounded truth.Whether in poetry or in online video clips, it is Mr Meckel's sort of place that Thais need desperately to find today.

The Economist

And while Mr Chavez has bobbed back, some Venezuelans believe his "revolution" has been mortally wounded.

The Economist

The Earth had already tilted towards chaos, long before it sank deep into a swampy labyrinth in Flanders.Other things lasted, when the Great War was supposed to have mortally damaged them.

The Economist

But like the hedgehog, he must also know one big thing: every three or four years, he will have to take a substantial strategic decision, which may mortally wound the business, if he gets it wrong.

The Economist

Mr Blair, having deliberately upped the ante this week, would be grievously, possibly even mortally, wounded.Mr Blair's willingness to stake so much on an issue to which few voters gave a second thought at the time of the last election strikes some as quixotic.

The Economist

Most Americans also know that Alexander Hamilton's political enemy, Aaron Burr, mortally wounded him in a strange duel fought on the banks of the Hudson river.

The Economist

Mortally ill, Mobutu fled and the Rwandans installed Laurent Kabila as president.A year later, Mr Kabila tried to wriggle out of the control of the Rwandans and Ugandans.

The Economist

She picked fights with "frightened zombies", as she called her fellow intellectuals, and yet was mortally offended when anybody dared to criticise her writing.Ms Heller and Ms Burns both dwell on the contradictions of Rand and Randism.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mortally" to emphasize the potential for death or extremely severe consequences, adding a sense of gravity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "mortally" to describe situations that are merely serious or unpleasant but not potentially fatal. Overusing it can dilute its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "mortally" primarily functions to modify verbs or adjectives, indicating the degree or manner in which an action is performed or a state exists. Ludwig AI affirms this usage, showing it often describes actions or states leading to death or severe consequences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

40%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

7%

Reference

7%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mortally" functions as an adverb signifying a fatal or severely damaging extent. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate use in written English, particularly when describing conditions or actions leading to death or serious harm. It frequently appears in news articles and encyclopedic entries. While grammatically correct, be mindful of context to avoid overusing it in non-life-threatening situations. Related phrases include "fatally", "lethally", and "gravely", offering subtle variations in meaning. Remember, according to Ludwig, that "mortally" adds weight to your writing, so use it judiciously to achieve the desired impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fatally

Direct synonym emphasizing death as the outcome.

lethally

Focuses on the capacity to cause death.

with fatal consequences

More descriptive and emphasizes the outcome.

to a deadly extent

Highlights the degree of severity.

gravely

Indicates a serious or critical condition.

critically

Emphasizes the critical nature of the situation.

severely

Highlights the intensity of the impact or damage.

with lethal effect

Focuses on the effectiveness in causing death.

irreparably

Emphasizes the impossibility of recovery or repair.

beyond recovery

Highlights that there is no chance to restore

FAQs

How can I use "mortally" in a sentence?

You can use "mortally" to describe something that causes or is likely to cause death, as in "He was "mortally wounded" in the battle" or "The company was "mortally wounded" by the scandal".

What can I say instead of "mortally"?

You can use alternatives like "fatally", "lethally", or "gravely" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say someone is "mortally ill" even if they aren't on the verge of death?

While "mortally ill" implies a life-threatening condition, it doesn't necessarily mean the person is imminently dying. It suggests the illness is severe enough to potentially cause death, even if treatment might prolong life.

What's the difference between "mortally" and "gravely"?

"Mortally" implies a higher likelihood of death than "gravely". Someone who is "mortally" wounded or ill is in a condition likely to lead to death, while someone who is "gravely" wounded or ill is in a serious condition, but not necessarily on the verge of death.