terminally ill

USAGE SUMMARY

"terminally ill" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is generally used to refer to someone who has a condition or disease that cannot be cured and is expected to result in death. Example: Mary's father was terminally ill, so she spent all of her time taking care of him during his final months.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some are terminally ill.

The New York Times

Very terminally ill?

The Guardian

Not just terminally ill?

The Guardian

Scotland frees a terminally ill Lockerbie bomber.

The New Yorker

None were terminally ill, according to investigators.

The New York Times

Brayley was not terminally ill.

The Guardian

And she was terminally ill.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He is also terminally ill.

The New York Times

To visit his terminally ill mother, Pauline.

Princeton University

— serve marketers more than the terminally ill.

The New York Times

Kelly: "More terminally ill than usual".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about someone who is "terminally ill", be sensitive and respectful in your language. Focus on their quality of life and dignity.

Common error

Avoid reducing a person's identity solely to their condition. Use person-first language (e.g., "a person who is terminally ill" rather than "a terminally ill person") to emphasize their humanity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "terminally ill" functions as a descriptive adjective, modifying a noun (usually 'person', 'patient', etc.) to indicate that the individual has an incurable condition leading to death. Ludwig examples confirm this adjectival role across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Academia

24%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "terminally ill" is a descriptive adjective phrase used to indicate that someone has an incurable condition that will lead to death. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Academic contexts, with a neutral register. When writing about someone who is "terminally ill", it's essential to use sensitive and respectful language, remembering to focus on the person's dignity and quality of life. While there are many alternative ways to express this concept, such as "suffering from a fatal illness" or "afflicted with a life-threatening condition", the term "terminally ill" itself is widely accepted and understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suffering from a fatal illness

Focuses on the nature of the illness as being deadly.

afflicted with a life-threatening condition

Highlights the danger the condition poses to the person's life.

gravely sick with no chance of recovery

Emphasizes the severity of the illness and the lack of hope for improvement.

in the final stages of a disease

Indicates the advanced progression of the illness.

nearing the end of life due to sickness

Focuses on the proximity to death caused by the illness.

facing imminent death from an incurable disease

Highlights the inevitability of death and the lack of a cure.

diagnosed with a terminal disease

Highlights the medical diagnosis of a terminal illness.

having a condition with a poor prognosis

Focuses on the unfavorable outlook for recovery.

living with a life-limiting illness

Emphasizes the impact of the illness on the person's lifespan.

approaching the end of their natural life

Generalizes the situation to nearing the end of one's lifespan.

FAQs

How can I use "terminally ill" in a sentence?

"Terminally ill" is used to describe someone with an incurable disease that will lead to death. For example, "The doctor explained that the patient was "terminally ill" and had only a few months to live."

What are some alternatives to saying "terminally ill"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "suffering from a fatal illness", "afflicted with a life-threatening condition", or "nearing the end of life due to sickness".

Is it appropriate to use "terminally ill" in formal writing?

Yes, "terminally ill" is a standard and accepted term in both formal and informal contexts. However, always consider the sensitivity of the topic and your audience.

What is the difference between "terminally ill" and "chronically ill"?

"Terminally ill" refers to a condition that will inevitably lead to death, while "chronically ill" refers to a long-lasting condition that may not be fatal but requires ongoing management. A person can be "chronically ill" without being "terminally ill".