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demise

English translation: yes and yes


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17:58 Jul 20, 2011
English to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Poetry & Literature / stylistic usage restrictions
English term or phrase: demise
In a letter of condolence, in a phrase "We are much grieved by the demise of John Doe". John Doe is a senior citizen.

Several native speakers offered their criticism, varying from "can't be used as the deceased was not young" - probably that influenced by the collocations like "untimely/early demise" to "can't say that of a person".

Available dictionaries supplied no usage notes.

Questions:
a) can "demise" be used in this context at all
b) is the whole phrase "kosher" enough

TIA
danya
Local time: 06:09
English translation:yes and yes
Explanation:
1) There are no age implications. This derive from a legal usage.

2) Nowadays it sounds very formal but is not "unkosher".
Selected response from:

DLyons
Ireland
Local time: 03:09
Grading comment
thank you!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +7the passing of
benettfreeman
4 +4yes and yes
DLyons
4 +1demise=death
Martin Riordan


Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


3 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +7
demise, n: stylistic usage restrictions
the passing of


Explanation:
Demise seems too impersonal and clinical for this context. It is not a well-used word in the modern age. I would recommend using 'passing', as it is sensitive and sympathetic.

Example sentence(s):
  • "We are sorry to hear of the passing of John Doe"
benettfreeman
Local time: 04:09
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
Notes to answerer
Asker: thank you! but suppose the context is formal enough - still a no-go? (the thing is, I cannot change the text now and I need to know if that phrase )

Asker: thank you! but suppose the context is formal enough - still a no-go? (the thing is, I cannot change the text now and I need to know if I blundered with that phrase and if yes - how badly)


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Jenni Lukac
3 mins
agree  Liz Broomfield: It's not wrong or rude, just over-formal and archaic. On the grounds that it's better to overdress than underdress, I'd think it OK. Also if the receiver knows you are not a native speaker, they will be more understanding
20 mins
agree  Tina Vonhof: Passing is better but demise is not wrong - I don't think asker has anything to worry about.
2 hrs
agree  William Howden
6 hrs
agree  amarpaul: Passing is better, but demise is OK
10 hrs
agree  Donna Stevens
13 hrs
agree  Thuy-PTT
22 days
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7 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +4
demise, n: stylistic usage restrictions
yes and yes


Explanation:
1) There are no age implications. This derive from a legal usage.

2) Nowadays it sounds very formal but is not "unkosher".

DLyons
Ireland
Local time: 03:09
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 8
Grading comment
thank you!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Armorel Young: personally I think it's fine in a certain style of writing (and "we are much grieved by" is also on the formal & archaic side); people go to all sorts of lengths to avoid saying "death" and this is just one of them
28 mins
  -> Thanks Armorel.
agree  Jack Doughty
41 mins
  -> Thanks Jack.
agree  Shera Lyn Parpia: Do I live in another world? I hear this word quite often.
1 hr
  -> Thanks Shera.
agree  Tony M: I think it sounds dated and even archaic, but it is used, albeit making the tone particularly formal
2 hrs
  -> Thanks Tony.
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22 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
demise, n: stylistic usage restrictions
demise=death


Explanation:
I see no problem in using the term demise in this context. It simply means death, as far as I know, with no other implications. It can also be used in other contexts, as shown in the link below.




    Reference: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/demise
Martin Riordan
Brazil
Local time: 23:09
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in PortuguesePortuguese

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Shera Lyn Parpia
53 mins
  -> Thanks, Shera!
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Changes made by editors
Jul 20, 2011 - Changes made by Tony M:
Term askeddemise, n: stylistic usage restrictions => demise
Jul 20, 2011 - Changes made by Tony M:
Field (write-in)(none) => stylistic usage restrictions


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