regaining consciousness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "regaining consciousness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to recovery from unconsciousness, such as after a medical procedure or an accident. Example: "After several minutes, the patient began regaining consciousness and responding to the doctors' questions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This often means they have no hope of regaining consciousness.

The Economist

She died three days later without regaining consciousness.

The New Yorker

He died in a hospital without regaining consciousness.

The Washington Post

That was a lie; the father died without regaining consciousness.

The New York Times

He died on Sept. 3 without regaining consciousness.

The New York Times

His wife died after three weeks, without regaining consciousness.

The New York Times

She died six days later, without ever regaining consciousness.

The New York Times

Slade is regaining consciousness in his shattered laboratory.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The woman died 18 hours later, never regaining consciousness.

The New York Times - Science

Yet after regaining consciousness, his personality and sense of humor quickly rebounded.

The New York Times

Regaining consciousness, the wino would reclaim the wine, pet the dog and start drinking again.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character's return to awareness in fiction, use sensory details to immerse the reader in their experience. For example: "Regaining consciousness, she was assaulted by the harsh smell of antiseptic and the grating sound of a heart monitor."

Common error

Avoid using "regaining consciousness" when simply describing someone waking up from sleep. The phrase is more appropriate when referring to recovery from a coma, fainting spell, or other state of unconsciousness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "regaining consciousness" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun within a sentence. It describes the process of recovering awareness after a period of being unconscious. Ludwig confirms its correct usage and prevalence across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "regaining consciousness" is a grammatically sound and frequently used gerund phrase, as verified by Ludwig, describing the process of returning to awareness after a period of unconsciousness. It appears most commonly in News & Media and Scientific contexts. When writing, consider the nuances of the phrase, avoiding its use when simply referring to waking from sleep. Alternatives like "coming to" or "awakening" may be more appropriate in certain situations. Be aware that "regaining back consciousness" is redundant. Its consistent use across various reliable sources underscores its correctness and wide acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

becoming conscious again

More explicit and formal way of saying "regaining consciousness".

returning to awareness

Highlights the recovery of perception and understanding of one's surroundings.

recovering awareness

Focuses on the process of regaining understanding and perception.

coming to

More informal alternative, implying a gradual return to awareness.

coming around

Informal phrase indicating a return to consciousness, often after fainting.

awakening

Emphasizes the transition from sleep or unconsciousness to a state of wakefulness.

restoring consciousness

Emphasizes the act of bringing someone back to a conscious state.

reviving

Suggests a return to life or activity, often after a near-death experience.

re-awakening

Implies a renewed or profound return to consciousness.

waking up

A common and simple way to describe the return from sleep or unconsciousness.

FAQs

How to use "regaining consciousness" in a sentence?

"Regaining consciousness" is typically used to describe the process of becoming aware after a period of unconsciousness, such as after an accident or medical procedure. For example: "After the surgery, the patient slowly started "regaining consciousness".".

What can I say instead of "regaining consciousness"?

You can use alternatives like "coming to", "awakening", or "returning to awareness" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "regaining back consciousness"?

No, the word "back" is redundant in this context. It's more concise and grammatically correct to simply say ""regaining consciousness"".

What's the difference between ""regaining consciousness"" and "waking up"?

"Regaining consciousness" typically implies returning from a deeper state of unconsciousness, like a coma or after anesthesia, whereas "waking up" usually refers to coming out of sleep. The former suggests a more significant recovery of awareness.