quarantine

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "quarantine" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a period of isolation or restriction of activities to limit the spread of a disease. For example, "The government has implemented a two-week quarantine for all citizens to reduce the spread of the virus."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 gives Cabinet ministers sweeping powers in designated emergencies including quarantine areas, restricting travel, handing control of essential industries to the army.

The Guardian - Opinion

A comprehensive report on the US response to Ebola at home and in Africa found there was no good scientific evidence for the mandatory 21-day quarantine imposed in states including Maine, which tried to confine nurse Kaci Hickox to her home on her return from Sierra Leone.

The Guardian

When Alyokhina and Tolokonnikova arrive in their colony they will be taken immediately into a quarantine block to be assessed to determine which otryad, or detachment, they will join for the duration of their sentence.

The Guardian

Nearly 2,000 people in South Korea are under quarantine, some in health care facilities but most at home, including an entire village of about 105 people in the south-west after a resident who visited a hospital where the country's first patient with Mers was treated turned out to be infected.

The Guardian

Indeed, so convinced was he that a period of enforced quarantine was not needed that he flew straight from filing harrowing reports from Freetown to a conference in Luxembourg.

The Guardian

Permanent visa holders who have yet to arrive in Australia must submit to a three-week quarantine before departure.

The Guardian

"I have decided to be put under quarantine because I do not want to take chances and I want to lead by example," the vice-president told Reuters.

The Guardian

Too much of that and the barricades come down, it becomes very difficult to travel to and from the affected countries, and health workers are deterred from volunteering (they are the biggest need now)." Travel and quarantine fears have made reporting from the ground – something the Guardian should do more despite its overall good coverage – really difficult for all news organisations.

The Guardian - Opinion

No one should be victimized by being placed in a quarantine if they do not have any symptoms of Ebola, because asymptomatic people are not a health risk.

The Guardian - Opinion

The report criticised some state quarantine policies as "ineffective and overly restrictive".

The Guardian

Seoul also raised quarantine measures on wheat for livestock feed, while Thailand put ports on alert.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about public health measures, use the term "quarantine" to clearly indicate the isolation of individuals or groups to prevent the spread of contagious diseases. Ensure you specify the duration and conditions of the quarantine to provide clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "quarantine" interchangeably with general health precautions. "Quarantine" specifically refers to isolating individuals who may have been exposed to a contagious disease, not simply general hygiene practices or social distancing measures.

Linguistic Context

The term "quarantine" primarily functions as both a noun, referring to a period or place of isolation, and a verb, indicating the act of isolating. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound. The examples showcase its use in various contexts related to public health and safety.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "quarantine" is a grammatically correct and commonly used term, functioning as both a noun and a verb, primarily in the context of public health and disease control. Ludwig AI indicates its acceptability. Its usage spans from news reports and scientific publications to formal business documents, indicating a neutral to professional register. The term is frequently associated with measures taken to prevent the spread of contagious diseases, and while it's mostly used in formal contexts, it’s also present in encyclopedias, wikis, and reference materials. Due to its high frequency and diverse application, understanding the proper use of "quarantine" is essential for effective communication in various settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enforced isolation

Highlights the mandatory nature of the isolation, similar to "quarantine".

isolation period

Focuses on the duration of being isolated, differing from the broader implications of "quarantine".

mandatory confinement

Stresses the legally required aspect of being confined, similar to the implications of "quarantine".

protective isolation

Emphasizes the protective aspect, differing from the punitive aspect sometimes associated with "quarantine".

self-isolation

Highlights the voluntary aspect of isolating oneself, unlike mandatory "quarantine".

separation from others

Describes the physical act of being apart from other people, a core element of "quarantine".

cordon sanitaire

Specifically refers to creating a barrier to prevent disease spread, often geographically.

restricted movement

Emphasizes the limitation of movement, a key component of "quarantine".

disease containment

Highlights the purpose of limiting the spread of a disease, a goal of "quarantine".

health screening

Focuses on the initial assessment process before potential "quarantine".

FAQs

How is "quarantine" different from isolation?

"Quarantine" is for those potentially exposed to a contagious disease but not yet showing symptoms, while isolation separates those already infected to prevent further spread.

What are some synonyms for "quarantine"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "quarantine" include "isolation period", "self-isolation", or "cordon sanitaire".

Can "quarantine" be used in contexts other than health?

While primarily associated with health and disease control, "quarantine" can metaphorically refer to isolating something to prevent its spread, like "quarantining" a computer file suspected of containing a virus.

What is the legal basis for imposing a "quarantine"?

The legal authority to impose a "quarantine" typically stems from public health laws designed to protect the population from infectious diseases.