Get a fever

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Get a fever" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of developing a fever, often in the context of illness or health. Example: "If you don't take care of yourself, you might get a fever and have to stay in bed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

People start running; they get a fever.

The New Yorker

Why would he get a fever now?

The New York Times

Claire would get a fever sometimes.

Harvard Business Review

Others get a fever and a small coffin.

The Washington Post

The rest may get a fever, nausea or a rash.

The Economist

"He could get a fever tonight and be done.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Trump's got a fever.

The Washington Post

"He got a fever?" "He's got stress," Theresa said.

The New Yorker

"Then he got sick and got a fever and died".

The New York Times

"He got a fever over the summer," she said.

The New York Times

I was so excited I got a fever.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "get a fever" to describe the onset of a fever, particularly when discussing illnesses or reactions to medical treatments. This phrase is widely understood and suitable for general contexts.

Common error

While acceptable, using "get a fever" repeatedly in formal or scientific writing may sound less professional. Consider using synonyms like "develop a fever" or "experience a fever" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Get a fever" functions as a verb phrase indicating the process of acquiring a fever. As Ludwig AI explains, it is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English. Examples provided by Ludwig show its usage in describing symptoms of illness or reactions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

26%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "Get a fever" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe the onset of a fever, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is suitable for general contexts, particularly when discussing illnesses or reactions to medical treatments. While versatile, it might be beneficial to use synonyms like "develop a fever" or "experience a fever" in formal writing to enhance the tone. Common in news and media, as well as scientific and business contexts, this phrase is well-understood. When considering authoritative sources, The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Washington Post frequently employ the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Develop a fever

Uses "develop" instead of "get", implying a gradual onset.

Come down with a fever

Employs the idiom "come down with", suggesting an illness.

Run a fever

Uses "run" to describe the experience of having a fever.

Have a fever

A more direct way of stating the condition.

Experience a fever

Replaces "get" with "experience", which is more formal.

Contract a fever

Implies acquiring the fever, often from an infection.

Show signs of fever

Focuses on the manifestation of fever symptoms.

Begin to feel feverish

Highlights the initial sensation of a fever.

Start to have a fever

Indicates the commencement of a fever.

Be stricken with a fever

Uses the verb "stricken" to describe the sudden affliction of fever.

FAQs

What's a simple way to describe the start of a fever?

Using the phrase "get a fever" is a common and straightforward way to describe the beginning of a fever.

Are there more formal alternatives to "get a fever"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "develop a fever" or "experience a fever" in more formal contexts.

When should I use "come down with a fever" instead of "get a fever"?

"Come down with a fever" implies that the fever is due to an illness or infection, whereas "get a fever" is a more general statement.

Is it correct to say "contract a fever"?

Yes, "contract a fever" is correct and suggests that the fever has been acquired, possibly through infection.