sprain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sprain" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in a medical context to describe an injury to a ligament caused by a sudden twist or impact. Example: "After twisting her ankle during the game, she was diagnosed with a sprain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Inflammation is often used by the body to repair tissue (which is why when you sprain a muscle, the area becomes inflamed).

The Economist

He has been attorney general, he has been controller, and he is very well-respected.Clearly, Mrs Feinstein's not going to sprain an ankle rushing too quickly to help out the incoming Democratic leadership.

The Economist

Mr Favre suffered an ankle sprain in that game; he left but returned, hobbled, leading to a Saints win.

The Economist

In the first instance, it is particularly beneficial in relieving muscle soreness and sprain.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Wales are now sweating on Biggar, who hobbled off early in the day with a high ankle sprain.

Independent

Luther Burrell continues at 12 knowing that had Brad Barritt not been stricken by a high ankle sprain, his place in the starting XV would have been in doubt and the Northampton midfielder needs to impress against France.

Independent

Nicklas Bendtner injured himself scoring against Cardiff and will be out for most of this month with an ankle sprain.

Independent

The one, perhaps, where he does sprain an ankle, and Andy Burnham leads a craven Tory Lite party to a worse defeat than the last one.

Independent

Bendtner had been seen as a solid back-up to lead frontman Olivier Giroud and came off the bench to score a late goal which helped beat Cardiff on New Year's Day, only to sprain his ankle in the process as the Gunners moved back to the top of the Barclays Premier League.

Independent

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who injured a finger in losing on Thursday, is expected to be fit for Wimbledon after being told that he suffered a severe sprain rather than a break.

Independent

We don't think there is any more damage to it, but it is still a sprain.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the R.I.C.E. protocol (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) as a helpful mnemonic to remember initial treatment steps for a "sprain".

Common error

Avoid using "sprain" and "strain" interchangeably. A "sprain" involves ligaments (connecting bones), while a "strain" involves muscles or tendons (connecting muscles to bones).

Linguistic Context

The word "sprain" functions primarily as both a noun, referring to the injury itself (e.g., "an ankle sprain"), and as a verb, describing the act of incurring the injury (e.g., "to sprain an ankle"). Ludwig examples show it being used in both contexts. The Ludwig AI states that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "sprain" is a commonly used term that functions as both a noun and a verb, referring to an injury involving the stretching or tearing of ligaments. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Its usage spans across various contexts, but it is most frequently found in news and media reports, as well as in encyclopedic and scientific sources. While the term is generally neutral in register, it often appears in more professional and medically informed discussions. When using "sprain", specifying the location and severity enhances clarity. Remember to differentiate it from "strain", which involves muscles or tendons. For related terms, consider "ankle twist" or "injured ligament" for semantically similar alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

injured ligament

A general term describing that a ligament has been injured.

ankle twist

Refers specifically to a twisting injury of the ankle, similar to a sprain but emphasizing the motion.

wrenched ankle

Describes the action of wrenching an ankle, often resulting in a sprain.

muscle strain

Indicates an injury to a muscle, which, while different from a sprain (ligament injury), is a related type of soft tissue injury.

twisted joint

Similar to "wrenched ankle", but more general and applicable to any joint.

overextend a ligament

The action that causes a sprain, emphasizing the overextension of the ligament.

ligament tear

A more severe injury to a ligament, where the ligament is actually torn, as opposed to stretched in a sprain.

pulled muscle

Commonly used, though technically referring to a muscle injury, it's often used interchangeably with minor sprains.

joint injury

A general term for any injury to a joint, including sprains, dislocations, and other damage.

soft tissue damage

A broad category of injuries that includes sprains, strains, contusions, etc.

FAQs

How do you use "sprain" in a sentence?

You can use "sprain" as a verb, like "I "sprained my ankle" playing basketball", or as a noun, such as "That's a nasty "ankle sprain"!".

What's the difference between a "sprain" and a strain?

A "sprain" involves damage to ligaments, which connect bones to each other. A strain involves damage to muscles or tendons, which connect muscles to bones. Therefore, they are distinct types of injuries.

What are common treatments for a "sprain"?

Common treatments include rest, ice, compression, and elevation (R.I.C.E.). Depending on the severity, a doctor may recommend physical therapy or immobilization with a brace or cast.

What can I do to prevent a "sprain"?

Preventative measures include wearing proper footwear, warming up before exercise, using supportive devices (like ankle braces if prone to ankle sprains), and strengthening the muscles around the joints.