prescribe

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'prescribe' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone has been given a course of action, action, or treatment. For example: The doctor prescribed antibiotics for the patient's infection.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Doctors vary in the length of antibiotic regimes they prescribe, with five-day courses for urinary tract infection still being used even though the evidence shows that two to three days is sufficient for an uncomplicated infection.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Individual herbs can be used for specific symptoms; UK doctors prescribe peppermint oil capsules for bloating and cramps in IBS, even though evidence is limited.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Primary care physicians tend to prescribe drugs rather than CBT, although some countries, including the UK and Australia, have initiatives intended to increase the availability of counselling.

The Guardian

Often a person won't be well enough to go out alone so their section 17 might prescribe: half an hour ground leave per shift, with nursing escort.

The Guardian

That included advice from the General Medical Council that if there are two drugs that are equally effective, doctors should prescribe the licensed one.

The Guardian

In fact, it may make more sense to prescribe reading lists to the healthy, not the sick.

The Guardian

Some companies paid large sums to settle court cases in the US and UK doctors were warned in 2003 not to prescribe them to the under-18s.

The Guardian

"Dutch family doctors prescribe very little," he said.

The Guardian

José Luis Ballesteros Ramos, a psychiatrist from Granada, added: "The fact that primary care physicians prescribe antidepressants is linked to the inability to spend more time with the patient, because they get to see 40 patients in the morning".

The Guardian

And not to prescribe in these cases is to sentence an individual to a far longer illness than he or she need suffer".

The Guardian

There’s certain people I would prescribe acting for.’ The last time Carlyle cried for real was two weeks ago, when he was watching a musical passage from his latest Antonia Bird film, Ravenous, which is about members of a lost wagon train who resort to cannibalism (he is quick to add that he wasn’t in the scene).

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When "prescribing" medication, always ensure you're using precise and accurate language to avoid any ambiguity in dosage or usage instructions.

Common error

Avoid using "prescribe" when you simply mean "suggest" or "recommend" in non-medical contexts. "Prescribe" implies a degree of authority or necessity that may be inappropriate.

Linguistic Context

The verb "prescribe" primarily functions to authorize or direct the use of a medicine or treatment. Ludwig AI confirms this, showcasing how doctors "prescribe" medications based on evidence and guidelines.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prescribe" is a verb commonly used to denote the act of ordering or authorizing a medication or treatment, particularly by a healthcare professional. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms that "prescribe" is grammatically correct and frequently used in contexts such as news, business, and scientific publications. While generally neutral in register, its formality can increase in academic or medical settings. When used, it's important to ensure the context aligns with the formal recommendation or authorization implied by the word. The alternative phrases provide options for similar meanings but with slightly different connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

recommend

Suggests a course of action, often less formal than "prescribe".

order

Implies authority and a directive to do something, similar to one sense of "prescribe".

stipulate

Specifies a requirement or condition, often in a formal agreement or rule.

designate

Appoints or assigns something for a specific purpose or role.

advise

Offers a suggestion or recommendation, typically based on expertise.

dictate

Specifies authoritatively or imposes a rule, often more forceful than "prescribe".

lay down

Establishes a rule or principle to be followed.

set out

Describes or explains something in a clear and detailed way.

direct

Instructs someone to do something, providing clear guidance.

specify

States something precisely and explicitly.

FAQs

How is "prescribe" used in a sentence?

The verb "prescribe" is used to indicate that a doctor has ordered a specific medication or treatment for a patient. For example: "The doctor will "prescribe" antibiotics for the infection".

What's a suitable alternative to "prescribe" in non-medical contexts?

In contexts outside of medicine, alternatives like "recommend", "advise", or "stipulate" can be used depending on the intended meaning.

What does it mean when a doctor "prescribes" a medication?

When a doctor "prescribes" medication, they are officially authorizing the patient to receive and use that medication, often with specific instructions.

Is there a difference between "suggesting" and "prescribing" a treatment?

Yes, "suggesting" a treatment is simply offering it as an option, while "prescribing" a treatment involves a formal order or authorization, usually by a medical professional.