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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
prescribe about
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "prescribe about" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is not typically used in any context, as "prescribe" usually requires a direct object without the preposition "about." Example: "The doctor will prescribe medication for your condition."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Science
News & Media
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
2 human-written examples
Kaiser doctors prescribe about 2percentt of all prescription drugs in the United States; to stock its 300 pharmacies, the H.M.O.
News & Media
According to Berrington de González, doctors in the United Kingdom prescribe about 7 times fewer CT scans than those in the United States, French doctors prescribe 3 times fewer, and in Germany, half as many scans are given.
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
53 human-written examples
These newer pills are prescribed about two million times a year.
News & Media
In the U.S., Foer reports, people are prescribed about three million pounds of antibiotics a year.
News & Media
A new diabetes pill, Januvia, which is made by Merck and was approved after Exubera, is already prescribed about 40,000 times a week in the United States, 25 times as often as the Pfizer drug.
News & Media
Harm reduction advocates may criticize those advocating reduced opioid prescribing about unintended consequences for people who use drugs.
News & Media
Over the course of the next ten years I would be prescribed about a half dozen or so different types of medications.
News & Media
Consequently, in 2005 opioids were prescribed about 365 million times worldwide.
Science
The unit prescribes about 2500 HIV tests per year to patients who come from all over the region.
Science
Thyroid hormones were prescribed about four times more frequently to MG patients <50 years (2.4 5.5) and male MG patients (2.3 5.0).
Archives of drug prescriptions are collected by local health authorities and contain data about the patient, about the prescribing physician and about the drugs.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Instead of using "prescribe about", use "prescribe" followed by the medication or treatment being ordered. For example, "The doctor will prescribe antibiotics".
Common error
Avoid adding unnecessary prepositions like "about" after "prescribe". The correct usage is to directly specify what is being prescribed, such as "prescribe medication" or "prescribe a treatment plan".
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
1.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "prescribe about" is typically used as a verb phrase, but its usage is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI indicates that the preposition "about" is unnecessary and should be omitted. The verb "prescribe" should be followed directly by the object (the medication or treatment).
Frequent in
Science
50%
News & Media
50%
Formal & Business
0%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "prescribe about" is grammatically incorrect and its usage is discouraged. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, the verb "prescribe" should be followed directly by the object (the medication or treatment) without the unnecessary preposition "about". While the phrase may occasionally appear in informal contexts, it's essential to use grammatically correct alternatives such as "prescribe medication" or "prescribe for" in formal and professional settings. Remember to avoid the common error of adding unnecessary prepositions and strive for clear and precise communication when discussing medical prescriptions.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
prescribe medication for
Focuses on the specific remedy being ordered, directly addressing the treatment.
recommend treatment for
Shifts the focus to a broader therapeutic approach, implying a course of action.
advise on medication
Highlights the advisory role of the prescriber, emphasizing guidance.
order medication
Emphasizes the directive aspect of prescribing, focusing on the act of ordering.
give a prescription for
Highlights the act of providing a formal prescription, emphasizing the written order.
authorize treatment with
Focuses on the permission granted for a specific therapy, emphasizing approval.
suggest a course of
Recommends a therapeutic path without necessarily focusing on medication.
designate medication
Emphasizes the selection of a specific drug, focusing on the choice.
stipulate a regimen of
Specifies a detailed treatment plan, emphasizing the structured approach.
sanction medication use
Formally approves the use of a drug, highlighting the official endorsement.
FAQs
How should I correctly use the word "prescribe" in a sentence?
Use "prescribe" followed directly by the medication or treatment. For instance, say "The doctor will "prescribe medication"", not "prescribe about medication".
What's a grammatically correct alternative to "prescribe about"?
Instead of "prescribe about", use phrases like "prescribe for" when indicating who the medication is intended for, or simply "prescribe medication".
Is it ever correct to use a preposition after "prescribe"?
While "prescribe about" is incorrect, you might use "prescribe for" to indicate the beneficiary of the prescription: "The doctor will prescribe medication for your condition." However, “The doctor will "prescribe medication"” is more concise.
What are common mistakes people make when using the word "prescribe"?
A frequent error is adding unnecessary prepositions like "about" or "on" after "prescribe". Always aim to use "prescribe" followed directly by the name of the medication or treatment. For example, the correct sentence would be: The doctor will "prescribe antibiotics".
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
1.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested