would not heal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would not heal" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something, such as a wound or emotional pain, fails to recover or improve over time. Example: "Despite the passage of time, the emotional scars from that experience would not heal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

… It would not heal.

The New York Times

The overdose resulted in a wound that would not heal.

The New York Times - Health

George had a large ulcer that would not heal on his left foot and was requiring hospitalizations and intravenous antibiotics.

The New York Times - Health

The hole would not heal, and pieces of bone from her jaw kept splintering and coming out.

The New York Times - Health

The measures taken against the Episcopal church would not heal the divisions within the church, he added.

The Guardian

Suffering from a severe foot ulcer that would not heal, he was told his only chance of a cure was a partial amputation of his leg.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

"He had wounds that wouldn't heal on his legs.

The New York Times

There was nothing wrong with Smarty Jones that couldn't be fixed or that time wouldn't heal.

The New York Times - Sports

For five years, I had battled a mysterious, rare disease, pyoderma gangrenosum, where huge wounds on my legs kept growing larger and wouldn't heal.

The New York Times - Health

Colin Phoon, M.D New York This patient had a hernia-repair wound that wouldn't heal, along with dangerously low levels of red and white blood cells (neutropenia).

The New York Times

And the wound wouldn't heal".

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "would not heal" with specific details about why the healing process is stalled, such as underlying medical conditions, unresolved conflicts, or persistent negative influences.

Common error

Avoid using "would not heal" in situations where simpler language would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound melodramatic or unnatural. Consider alternatives like "didn't get better" or "remained unresolved" for less intense situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would not heal" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating a lack of ability or failure to recover. As supported by Ludwig, it's used across various contexts to express the inability of something to return to its original state.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "would not heal" is a versatile phrase used to describe the failure of something to recover or improve, whether physically, emotionally, or societally. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and applicability across various contexts. While quite common, it's important to use it judiciously to avoid sounding overly dramatic. Consider synonyms like "failed to recover" or "remained unhealed" for more nuanced expressions. Being mindful of its connotation will help ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failed to improve

A general statement that something didn't get better.

remained unhealed

Highlights the continued state of not being healed.

failed to recover

Emphasizes the lack of progress in getting better.

showed no signs of recovery

Highlights the absence of any positive indications.

did not get better

A simpler way of saying something didn't improve.

was resistant to healing

Highlights a natural or inherent difficulty in the healing process.

persisted without improvement

Focuses on the ongoing lack of positive change.

did not respond to treatment

Focuses on the ineffectiveness of medical intervention.

refused to mend

Implies a resistance to healing.

stayed in a state of disrepair

Describes a continued state of damage or poor condition.

FAQs

How can I use "would not heal" in a sentence?

You can use "would not heal" to describe something that fails to recover or improve over time. For instance, "Despite numerous treatments, the wound "would not heal"." or "The emotional scars from the conflict "would not heal", leading to lasting divisions."

What are some alternatives to "would not heal"?

Alternatives include "failed to recover", "remained unhealed", or "did not get better". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "would not heal" or "did not heal"?

"Would not heal" often implies a continued or persistent inability to recover, whereas "did not heal" is a simple statement that healing did not occur. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the ongoing nature of the lack of healing.

Can "would not heal" be used for both physical and emotional issues?

Yes, "would not heal" can be used both literally (for physical wounds) and figuratively (for emotional wounds, relationships, or societal issues). For example, "The economy "would not heal" after the recession" is perfectly acceptable.