Acute vs chronic: simple tips to remember the difference
The words ACUTE and CHRONIC are easy to confuse and frequently used in the wrong way.
ACUTE and CHRONIC are often used in the same context – to describe a medical condition – but their meanings are different. These tips will help you remember the difference between ACUTE and CHRONIC.
When to use ACUTE
ACUTE can be an adjective or a noun. As an adjective, ACUTE means sudden or severe – often when referring to illness. It can be used in a sentence like this: “I’ve been experiencing ACUTE abdominal pain. It came on so suddenly!” OR “I have an ACUTE sense of smell.” As an noun, ACUTE is a type of accent. It can be used in a sentence like this: “An ACUTE accent is a small mark that changes the pronunciation of word, such as café and financé.”When to use CHRONIC
CHRONIC is an adjective. In a medical context, it means worsening over time or recurring. It can be used in a sentence like this: “The doctor told me I have CHRONIC rhinitis.” To remember CHRONIC, it helps to know that the prefix CHRON always relates to time (as in CHRONological and anaCHRONistic). Knowing the difference between ACUTE and CHRONIC could help you better understand a medical diagnosis – or just keep up with your favourite TV drama! I hope these tips help you to tell these commonly confused words apart in future.Get more simple, memorable spelling tips in The Little Book of Confusables 1 + The Little Book of Confusables 2
My four-times award-winning books take the mystery out of misused words for just just £11.95. You’ll wonder how you managed without them!
2023 GOLD award winner at the eLit book awards.ACUTE vs CHRONIC. Excerpt from The Little Book of Confusables by Sarah Townsend.
More than 1,000 misused words demystified
Master 1,000+ confusing words with the multi-award-winning Little Book of Confusables 1 + 2 – jam-packed with memorable, fun spelling and usage tips: from ACCEPT + EXCEPT and OPTIMAL + OPTIMUM, to BARE + BEAR and PURPOSEFULLY + PURPOSELY.
Loved by writers and non-writers alike, these gorgeously accessible books have been described as “An absolute joy”, “The books you never knew you needed” and “Perfect for anyone who ever has to write anything!”.