untimely death

USAGE SUMMARY

"untimely death" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to any death that occurs before it is expected to. For example, "The untimely death of the beloved actor shocked the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

An untimely death.

The New York Times

"Untimely death is virtually certain," he says.

Independent

Her untimely death is profoundly sad.

The New York Times

So the call about John's untimely death was a fraud.

The New Yorker

He remained an active trader until his untimely death.

The New York Times

The political fallout from his untimely death spread quickly yesterday.

Independent

Murad's untimely death was caused by his addiction to alcohol.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Her untimely death weighs heavily on our hearts".

The New York Times - Sports

We mourn the untimely death of a great friend.

The New York Times

Secondly, an untimely death taps into our love of surprise.

The Guardian - Film

"Sadly, her husband then died an untimely death".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "untimely death", consider the audience and context. In formal settings, it's appropriate, but in personal conversations, consider softer alternatives like "early passing".

Common error

Avoid using "untimely death" excessively in sensationalized or overly dramatic writing. Opt for more specific and nuanced language to describe the circumstances of the death if possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "untimely death" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig examples show it describing a death occurring sooner than expected. According to Ludwig AI, this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Encyclopedias

8%

Science

6%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0.01%

Reference

0.01%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "untimely death" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase to describe a death that occurs prematurely. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and appropriate for use in written English. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts, as shown by Ludwig, but is also found in encyclopedias and other formal sources. While effective, it's essential to consider the audience and context, and potentially opt for gentler alternatives like "early passing" in more personal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

premature death

Replaces "untimely" with its direct synonym "premature".

premature demise

Replaces "death" with a more formal synonym and emphasizes the unexpected early end.

untimely demise

Uses a more formal synonym for "death" while maintaining the core meaning.

early passing

Substitutes "untimely" with "early" and "death" with a gentler term, "passing".

unexpected death

Focuses on the surprise element rather than the time of death.

tragic death

Emphasizes the sorrow and unfortunate nature of the death.

sudden passing

Highlights the abruptness and lack of warning before death.

unfortunate death

Focuses on the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the death.

shocking death

Highlights the element of surprise and disbelief associated with the death.

early grave

A more metaphorical expression emphasizing dying young.

FAQs

How to use "untimely death" in a sentence?

"Untimely death" is typically used as a noun phrase to describe a death that occurred sooner than expected. For example, "The singer's "untimely death" shocked her fans."

What can I say instead of "untimely death"?

You can use alternatives like "premature demise", "early passing", or "unexpected death" depending on the context.

Is "untimely death" a formal or informal phrase?

"Untimely death" is considered a neutral to slightly formal phrase, suitable for news reports, obituaries, and formal discussions. In more personal or intimate settings, consider using a softer alternative such as "early passing".

What causes are commonly associated with "untimely death"?

"Untimely death" can be associated with a variety of causes, including accidents, illnesses, violence, and suicide. The phrase itself doesn't specify the cause, but rather emphasizes the unexpected or premature nature of the death.