What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
prognostic
Example
The doctor gave a poor prognostic for the patient's recovery. [prognostic: noun]
Example
The presence of certain symptoms can be a negative prognostic for the patient's health. [prognostic: adjective]
diagnostic
Example
The diagnostic tests confirmed the presence of cancer. [diagnostic: adjective]
Example
The doctor ordered a series of diagnostic tests to determine the cause of the patient's symptoms. [diagnostic: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Diagnostic is more commonly used than prognostic in everyday language. Diagnostic is specific to medical conditions and is used frequently in medical settings, while prognostic is less common and used more sparingly.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between prognostic and diagnostic?
Both prognostic and diagnostic are formal terms used in medical settings. However, diagnostic is more versatile and can be used in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
