Contracted an illness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Contracted an illness" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of becoming infected or affected by a disease or sickness. Example: "After returning from her trip, she realized she had contracted an illness that required medical attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

As a toddler, Shean contracted an illness that left her with severe hearing loss.

The New York Times

A doctor noted that both were transplant recipients, and immediately suspected that they might have contracted an illness from the donor.

The New York Times

I didn't know it at the time, but I had contracted an illness and was deeply in denial of its possession of me: a 21st-century gold fever.

Independent

This program allowed workers to apply for monetary compensation if they had contracted an illness, especially cancer, while working at weapons facilities.

Forbes

I have contracted an illness called "the disease of a-thousand-things-to-do".

Huffington Post

His friends speculate that in addition to drugs, he may have contracted an illness that his body could not fight off, due to a compromised immune system.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

"This policy doesn't cover cancelled or delayed trips due to the possibility of contracting an illness," the company says.

The Guardian - Money

In addition, scientists now have the ability to match the genetic fingerprints of the bacteria found in patients who contract an illness so they can identify the source.

The New York Times

You're more likely to contract an illness from a sick person coughing or sneezing in your face or if they don't wash their hands while sick than you are from a healthy double-dipper.

Harvard University

With no commission or prospects for performance, he wrote an opera based on the French writer Boris Vian's surrealistic novel (sometimes translated as "Froth on the Daydream") about a man whose wife contracts an illness that can be treated only by surrounding her with flowers.

The New York Times

Whether business travelers are heading to far-flung developing nations rife with infectious diseases or just sitting next to a sneezing, coughing seat mate on a flight to Chicago, contracting an illness on the road is one of their biggest worries.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "contracted an illness", ensure the context clearly indicates the source or cause of the illness if known, as this adds precision to the statement.

Common error

Avoid confusing "contracted an illness" with "contracted with", which implies entering into an agreement. Always use "contracted" alone when referring to health.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contracted an illness" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of becoming affected by a disease. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in describing how individuals or even animals have become sick.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Wiki

27%

Science

27%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "contracted an illness" is a grammatically sound and commonly used way to describe someone becoming sick. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is versatile and appears in diverse contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. While perfectly acceptable for use, there are alternative expressions such as "developed a disease" or "fell ill" that can add variety to your writing. Just be mindful not to confuse it with phrases like "contracted with", which has a different meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Developed a disease

Uses "disease" instead of "illness", implying a more specific or serious health condition.

Fell ill

A more concise and informal way of saying someone became sick.

Became sick

A very general term for experiencing ill health.

Succumbed to an ailment

Uses a more formal and sometimes literary term, "ailment", suggesting a mild illness.

Caught a bug

An informal way to say someone contracted a minor infectious disease.

Came down with something

An informal way to say someone started suffering from a mild illness.

Acquired a condition

Uses the more formal term "condition" which might imply a chronic rather than acute illness.

Was stricken with a sickness

Emphasizes the sudden and negative impact of the illness.

Suffered from an affliction

Suggests a prolonged or painful illness.

Picked up an infection

Specifically refers to contracting an infectious disease.

FAQs

How to use "contracted an illness" in a sentence?

You can use "contracted an illness" to describe someone who has become sick, such as: "After the trip, she "contracted an illness" requiring medical attention."

What can I say instead of "contracted an illness"?

You can use alternatives like "developed a disease", "fell ill", or "became sick" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "contracted an illness" or "caught an illness"?

Both "contracted an illness" and "caught an illness" are correct, but "contracted an illness" is more formal. "Caught an illness" is generally used for infectious diseases.

What's the difference between "contracted an illness" and "acquired a condition"?

"Contracted an illness" generally refers to becoming sick with something acute, whereas "acquired a condition" often refers to a chronic or long-term health issue.