Diagnose vs Diagnosis: When And How Can You Use Each One?

Have you ever been confused about whether to use diagnose or diagnosis? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between diagnose and diagnosis, and when to use each one.

We should clarify which of the two is the proper word. Diagnose is a verb, while diagnosis is a noun. Both words are commonly used in the medical field, but they can also be used in other contexts.

Diagnose means to identify a disease or medical condition by examining the symptoms and medical history of a patient. It involves analyzing the data and coming up with a conclusion. For example, a doctor may diagnose a patient with pneumonia based on their symptoms and a chest X-ray.

On the other hand, diagnosis refers to the conclusion or result of the diagnostic process. It is the identification of a disease or medical condition. For example, a patient may receive a diagnosis of diabetes after undergoing various tests and examinations.

Now that we’ve established the difference between diagnose and diagnosis, let’s dive deeper into their usage and common mistakes people make when using them.

Define Diagnose

Diagnose is a verb that means to identify or determine the nature and cause of a problem or illness through analysis and examination of symptoms, signs, and test results. It involves the process of recognizing and interpreting the symptoms exhibited by a patient, and then using medical knowledge and tools to identify the underlying condition or disease causing those symptoms. Diagnosing a medical condition is an essential step in the treatment and management of the patient’s health.

Define Diagnosis

Diagnosis is a noun that refers to the identification or determination of the nature and cause of a problem or illness through analysis and examination of symptoms, signs, and test results. It is the outcome of the process of diagnosing, which results in the identification of the specific condition or disease that is causing the patient’s symptoms. A diagnosis is often made by a medical professional, such as a doctor or specialist, and is crucial in determining the appropriate treatment plan and management of the patient’s health.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Using the correct word in a sentence is crucial to effective communication. In the medical field, the words “diagnose” and “diagnosis” are frequently used. While they may seem interchangeable, there are subtle differences in their meanings and usage.

How To Use “Diagnose” In A Sentence

The word “diagnose” is a verb that means to identify a disease or condition by analyzing symptoms or test results. It is often used in medical settings, but can also be used in other contexts. Here are some examples:

• The doctor was able to diagnose the patient’s illness after running several tests.
• It can be difficult to diagnose a problem with your car without the help of a mechanic.
• The teacher was able to diagnose the student’s learning disability and provide appropriate accommodations.

As you can see, “diagnose” is used to describe the act of identifying a problem or condition. It is always used as a verb and is followed by the object of the diagnosis.

How To Use “Diagnosis” In A Sentence

The word “diagnosis” is a noun that refers to the identification of a disease or condition. It is often used in medical settings, but can also be used in other contexts. Here are some examples:

• The doctor gave the patient a diagnosis of pneumonia.
• The mechanic’s diagnosis was that the car needed a new transmission.
• The diagnosis of ADHD can be controversial and is often based on subjective criteria.

As you can see, “diagnosis” is used to describe the result of the act of diagnosing. It is always used as a noun and is preceded by an article or possessive pronoun.

By using “diagnose” and “diagnosis” correctly in your writing and speech, you can ensure that you are communicating clearly and effectively.

More Examples Of Diagnose & Diagnosis Used In Sentences

As we continue to explore the difference between diagnose and diagnosis, it’s important to see how they are used in real-life examples. Here are some more examples of using diagnose and diagnosis in a sentence:

Examples Of Using Diagnose In A Sentence

• After conducting a thorough physical examination, the doctor was able to diagnose the patient with pneumonia.
• The mechanic was able to diagnose the issue with my car’s engine within minutes of looking at it.
• It can be difficult to diagnose certain mental health disorders without a proper evaluation by a licensed professional.
• The veterinarian was able to diagnose the dog with a rare autoimmune disease that had been causing its symptoms.
• It is important to diagnose a concussion as soon as possible to prevent further damage to the brain.
• The software engineer was able to diagnose the bug in the code and fix it quickly.
• The detective was able to diagnose the cause of the crime based on the evidence at the scene.
• Doctors are trained to diagnose and treat a wide range of medical conditions.
• The teacher was able to diagnose the student’s learning disability and provide appropriate accommodations.
• The IT specialist was able to diagnose the network issue and restore connectivity.

Examples Of Using Diagnosis In A Sentence

• The diagnosis was a rare form of cancer that required immediate treatment.
• After several tests, the diagnosis was a severe allergy to peanuts.
• The doctor’s diagnosis was a bacterial infection that required antibiotics.
• The diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease was devastating for the entire family.
• Without a proper diagnosis, it can be difficult to determine the best course of treatment.
• The diagnosis of a broken bone was confirmed by an X-ray.
• The psychologist’s diagnosis was a severe case of anxiety disorder.
• The diagnosis of a faulty power supply was causing the computer to shut down unexpectedly.
• The diagnosis of a herniated disc required surgery to alleviate the pain.
• Getting a proper diagnosis is the first step in managing any medical condition.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using medical terms, it’s important to use them correctly to avoid confusion and miscommunication. One common mistake people make is using “diagnose” and “diagnosis” interchangeably, but they actually have different meanings.

Using “Diagnose” Incorrectly

• Using “diagnose” as a noun
• Example: “The doctor gave me a diagnose of pneumonia.”
• Explanation: “Diagnose” is a verb, not a noun. The correct noun form is “diagnosis.”
• Using “diagnose” without an object
• Example: “The doctor diagnosed.”
• Explanation: “Diagnose” requires an object to complete the sentence, such as “The doctor diagnosed the patient with pneumonia.”

Using “Diagnosis” Incorrectly

• Using “diagnosis” as a verb
• Example: “The doctor diagnosed me.”
• Explanation: “Diagnosis” is a noun, not a verb. The correct verb form is “diagnose.”
• Using “diagnosis” in the plural form
• Example: “The doctor gave me multiple diagnoses.”
• Explanation: “Diagnosis” is already a plural noun, so it does not need to be pluralized.

To avoid these common mistakes, it’s important to remember that “diagnose” is a verb and “diagnosis” is a noun. Use “diagnose” when referring to the action of identifying a disease or condition, and use “diagnosis” when referring to the result of that action. Always make sure to use these terms correctly to ensure clear and accurate communication with medical professionals.

Context Matters

When it comes to using the words “diagnose” and “diagnosis,” context is key. The choice between these two words can depend on the situation in which they are used. Let’s explore some examples of different contexts and how the choice between diagnose and diagnosis might change.

Medical Context

In a medical context, the word “diagnosis” is commonly used to refer to the identification of a disease or medical condition. For example, a doctor might say “I have made a diagnosis of pneumonia.” In this context, “diagnose” would not be used because it is not a noun that can be used to describe a medical condition. However, if a doctor was discussing the process of identifying a medical condition, they might say “I need to diagnose this patient’s symptoms.” In this case, “diagnose” is being used as a verb to describe the act of identifying a medical condition.

Technical Writing Context

In technical writing, the choice between “diagnose” and “diagnosis” can depend on the level of formality. For example, in a technical manual for a piece of equipment, the word “diagnose” might be used to describe the process of identifying a problem with the equipment. However, in a more formal technical document, such as a research paper, the word “diagnosis” might be used to describe the same process.

Everyday Context

In everyday conversation, the choice between “diagnose” and “diagnosis” might not be as important. However, it is still important to use the correct word depending on the context of the conversation. For example, if someone is describing their symptoms to a friend, they might say “I think I have a diagnosis of the flu.” In this case, “diagnose” would not be used because it is not a noun that can be used to describe a medical condition.

Summary of Contextual Differences

Context	Example Sentence	Correct Word Choice
Medical	The doctor made a ________ of pneumonia.	diagnosis
Medical	The doctor needs to ________ the patient’s symptoms.	diagnose
Technical Writing	Please follow these steps to ________ the problem.	diagnose
Technical Writing	The ________ of the problem was difficult to determine.	diagnosis
Everyday	I think I have a ________ of the flu.	diagnosis

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using diagnose and diagnosis are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions to consider. Below are some examples:

When Using Medical Jargon

The rules for using diagnose and diagnosis may not always apply in medical jargon. In some cases, medical professionals may use the terms interchangeably or use one term more frequently than the other. For example, in the field of psychiatry, doctors may use the term “diagnosis” more frequently than “diagnose” when referring to a patient’s mental health condition.

When Using Colloquial Language

Colloquial language may also present exceptions to the rules for using diagnose and diagnosis. In casual conversation, people may use the terms interchangeably or use one term more frequently than the other. For example, someone might say “I was diagnosed with the flu” instead of “I was diagnosed as having the flu.”

When Using Different Verb Tenses

The rules for using diagnose and diagnosis may also differ depending on the verb tense being used. For example, when using the present tense, “diagnose” is generally used as the verb, while “diagnosis” is used as a noun. However, in the past tense, “diagnosed” is used as the verb, and “diagnosis” is still used as the noun.

When Using Different Grammatical Forms

The rules for using diagnose and diagnosis may also differ depending on the grammatical form being used. For example, when using the passive voice, “diagnosed” is generally used as the past participle, while “diagnosis” is used as the noun. However, in the active voice, “diagnose” is used as the verb, and “diagnosis” is still used as the noun.

When Using Different Meanings

Finally, there may be exceptions to the rules for using diagnose and diagnosis depending on the intended meaning. For example, “diagnose” can also mean to identify a problem or issue, while “diagnosis” can refer to the identification of a particular medical condition. In this case, the rules for using the terms may differ depending on the context in which they are being used.

Practice Exercises

As with any skill, practice is key to improving one’s understanding and use of diagnose and diagnosis. Here are some practice exercises to help readers hone their skills:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Choose the correct form of diagnose or diagnosis to complete the following sentences:

1. The doctor was able to _____ the patient’s condition quickly.	diagnose
2. The _____ was a rare genetic disorder.	diagnosis
3. It can be difficult to _____ a mental health issue.	diagnose
4. The patient was relieved to receive a _____.	diagnosis

Answer Key:

1. diagnose
2. diagnosis
3. diagnose
4. diagnosis

Exercise 2: Sentence Writing

Write a sentence using either diagnose or diagnosis in the correct form:

• She was finally given a _____ after years of misdiagnosis.
• The doctor was able to _____ the rare disease.
• It is important to _____ mental health issues early on.
• The _____ was a relief for the patient and their family.

Explanations:

For each exercise, the correct answers are provided in the answer key or explanations section. These exercises are designed to help readers practice using diagnose and diagnosis in context, which will improve their understanding and ability to use these words correctly in their own writing.

Conclusion

After reading this article, it is clear that the difference between “diagnose” and “diagnosis” lies in their grammatical functions. “Diagnose” is a verb that refers to the act of identifying a problem or disease, while “diagnosis” is a noun that refers to the result of that identification.

It is important to use these terms correctly in order to avoid confusion and miscommunication. Using “diagnose” when “diagnosis” is needed can lead to grammatical errors and unclear writing.

Overall, the key takeaway from this article is the importance of paying attention to the grammatical functions of words and using them appropriately. By doing so, we can communicate more effectively and avoid common errors.

Continuing To Learn About Grammar And Language Use

If you are interested in improving your grammar and language use, there are many resources available to help you. Consider taking a writing course, reading grammar books, or working with a tutor or editor.

Additionally, there are many online resources that can help you improve your writing skills. Websites like Grammarly and Purdue OWL offer helpful tips and tools for improving your grammar and language use.

By continuing to learn and practice good grammar and language use, you can become a more effective communicator and writer.