English question

Both (1) and (2) can be used with the implication that he is still alive:

(1) He is dying.
(2) He is not dying.

In that instance, I'd like to know what the difference in nuance is between them.

I'm a researcher of English linguistics.

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ArishMell · 70-79, M

If we are talking about a person:

1) Means he is still alive but suffering from terminal illness or injury. It may be accurate in the situation but is a rather cold statement that would have to used with great care and sensitivity.

For example, a nurse may say it to a colleague about one of their patients, but not (I hope!) directly to the loved ones at the bed-side.

......

2) That would normally be used of surviving illness or injuries that could have killed him. He might live for decades yet, but you'd need the rest of the text, or be there in person, to know the outlook.

Typically it might used to comfort friends and relatives who genuinely all thought he would not survive: "He is not dying. He will live, but might not recover fully".

Even better, the first sentence would be omitted: "He will recover, but might not fully."