Diagnostic and diagnosis are different terms with related definitions. That’s why they may sound confusing to some people. Read an overview of diagnostic vs diagnosis below to clarify the differences between these two words.
Diagnostic means “relating to or used in diagnosis” or “serving as a precise indication.” In contrast, diagnosis refers to “the procedure of determining the nature and circumstances of an illness or disease by examination.” The word also refers to the conclusion made from a medical examination.
The correlation between diagnostic and diagnosis are clear from their spellings. However, you will realize that the link is even more vital if you research more about these words. Read on for comprehensive details that expound these words more than you could think of.
Definitions of Diagnostic and Diagnosis
Definitions are the key to differentiating similar or confusing words. The definitions help you understand the key traits within the words that set them apart and their technical differences. Sometimes, the definitions will also show you the relationships between words like diagnostic and diagnosis. So, let us look at the definitions of diagnostic and diagnosis as the foundation of this article:
Definitions of Diagnostic
Diagnostic means “relating to, of, or used in diagnosis processes.” This adverb is a word form of “diagnosis,” hence the meaning.
Another source defines diagnostic as “serving to identify or characterize.” In other words, diagnostic means precisely indicating something because of specific characteristics or character traits.
Another definition of diagnostic is “that characteristic or element by which anything is known.” From this definition, “diagnostic” is synonymous with “symptom.” So, you can also define it as “the mark by which you identify a disease or distinguish it from others.”
Diagnostic also refers to “anything related or concerned with diagnosis or something used for further diagnosis.” For example, you can talk about diagnostic cleaning, diagnostic information, or diagnostic data.
Definitions of Diagnosis
In medicine, diagnosis is “the identification of the nature, traits, or cause of a disease or medical condition.” For example, “ The doctors have concluded the most awaited diagnosis tests.”
Another medical source defines diagnosis as “identifying the presence of an illness through its signs and symptoms and deriving conclusions, like treatment methods, from the identification.”
A related definition from a different source is that diagnosis is the act of identifying the nature and source of a phenomenon, usually an uncharacteristic behavior of an artificial device like an automobile, an animal, or a computer. Mechanics run a diagnosis on malfunctioning machines.
Another non-medical source defines the word diagnosis as “the identification of the cause of something, not necessarily a medical condition.” For example, a diagnosis can identify the cause of a malfunction in a machine.
In taxonomy, diagnosis is “a typed or written description of a species that helps distinguish it from other species.” A taxonomy diagnosis is usually written in Latin and formally published.
A psychological definition of diagnosis is “a critical perception or judgment of something based on its motives and traits.”
In computer science, diagnosis is “a message output produced by a computer determining the cause and effect of an error in a computer program” or “a program that produces diagnostic results.”
How to Properly Use Diagnostic and Diagnosis in a Sentence
Sentence construction is a pretty simple concept. However, you cannot construct proper sentences unless you understand the meanings of the words you use in the sentence. For this reason, we began by exploring the definitions of diagnostic and diagnosis before this section. So, after understanding the definitions correctly, check out the following tips for using diagnostic and diagnosis in sentences:
How to Use the Word Diagnostic
This word is primarily an adjective. That implies you can use it in sentences to describe nouns or other words. Use diagnostic as an adjective to express the following:
- The characteristics of a particular item or person
- Something relating to the identification of the nature, cause, and effect of a phenomenon
- A close examination of something
- Something pertaining to medicine, or the medical diagnosis process
- Uncharacteristic or abnormal traits in something
You can also use diagnostic in a sentence as a noun. So, use it to describe the following in a sentence:
- A person’s or item’s distinctive characteristics
- Something used as the foundation or basis for calculation or comparison
- A process for judging the merits or characteristics of a person, object, or place
How to Use the Word Diagnosis
This word is majorly a noun. So, you can use it to express or describe the following in your sentences:
- A judgment reached through a thorough examination, reasoning, or analysis
- The process of identifying the nature, cause, and effect of a disease
- Review or assessment of something or someone (especially in computer and artificial devices)
- The act of examining something obscure or abnormal
- The forecast of the course of a medical condition based on medical knowledge
- A judgment or an attitude expressed about someone or something
Diagnosis Vs. Diagnostic: The Comparison
One of the core elements that explain the links between these words is that “diagnosis” appears in the definition of “diagnostic.” This explains that the word diagnostic is a derivative of diagnosis. Below are other elements through which we can compare these words:
History and Etymology
The first known use of the word “diagnostic” was in the 1620s, with the meaning “ pertaining to diagnosis.” Users also applied it as a noun, meaning “valuable symptoms in a diagnosis.” This word comes from the Greek word “Diagnostikos,” meaning “able to distinguish” from “diagnostos.”
In contrast, the first known use of the word “diagnosis” was in the 1680s, with the meaning “recognition of a disease from its signs and symptoms.” The word was prevalent in pathology. It also had Latin Medical applications and came from the Greek “diagnosis,” meaning “a discerning, distinguishing characteristic.” It shares the same Greek roots as diagnostic.
Pronunciation
Learning how to pronounce words is an excellent skill for verbal communication. The correct way to say the word “diagnostic” is “/dahy-uhg-nos-tik/.” On the other hand, the proper way to say “diagnosis” is “/dahy-uhg-noh-seez/.” Both words have four syllables but different pronunciations of the last two syllables.
Bulleted List of Examples of Diagnostic and Diagnosis Use in Sentence
After learning new words or clarifying confusing ones, most people cannot wait to use them in sentences. However, checking out some samples before constructing sentences gives you an excellent place to start. So, let us look at some examples:
Example sentences of the word diagnostic
- The doctors completed the diagnostic tests after three days.
- The diagnostic reports were not as comprehensive as the researchers expected.
- The computer diagnostic tests took more than twenty-four hours.
- Jane provided the diagnostic proof to the team of scientists, but they did not believe his report.
- The diagnostic report will help the doctors determine the right course of action for the treatment.
Example sentences of the word diagnosis
- The computer diagnosis was not as comprehensive as expected.
- The cancer diagnosis by the doctors saddened the entire family.
- After running several tests, the doctors arrived at a cancer diagnosis.
- David refused to accept the HIV diagnosis without a second opinion.
- Sandra got a second opinion on the diagnosis from a specialist.
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Conclusion
The difference between diagnostic and diagnosis is that the former is an adjective derived from the latter. For this reason, the word “diagnosis” appears in the primary definition of diagnostic. Now that you know the difference between these words, you can start using them in sentences. Make sure you come up with creative sentences as you keep practicing.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.