Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

goophy · Joined: 13 Apr 2012 Posts: 9

Hi,

I'd like to ask which the following expression is correct?

in remission vs. on remission when referred to "a period when a serious illness improves for a time"?

Are they interchangeable? Or do they mean different things?

Thanks a lot!

goophy

Lorikeet · Joined: 08 Oct 2005 Posts: 1877 Location: San Francisco

I have never heard "on remission" but have always heard "in remission". It is for illnesses where you aren't "cured" but the illness is no longer apparent. It is often used with cancer, for example, because you have to keep checking to make sure it doesn't come back. It's also used for multiple sclerosis, or other illnesses like that, where the symptoms may disappear for a time.

goophy · Joined: 13 Apr 2012 Posts: 9

Thanks, Lorikeet!

That's why I asked the question. 'on remission' is read in Damn But Im Laughn With That Fat Ass Insurance Man 27 (http://www.philapedia.net/wiki/index.php?title=Damn_But_Im_Laughn_With_That_Fat_Ass_Insurance_Man_27&redirect=no)

Lorikeet · Joined: 08 Oct 2005 Posts: 1877 Location: San Francisco

Sorry, there are many forms of English, and sometmes sentences we think are "wrong" are really a different form. I have not heard it in American English (but you never know if some part of the country might be different.)