I took ill

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I took ill" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone became ill suddenly or unexpectedly. Example: "During the meeting, I took ill and had to excuse myself to seek medical attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

That when I took ill in 1989, I discovered what too many of the newly diagnosed had discovered before me: private health insurance companies didn't like me any more.

Huffington Post

Unfortunately, I took ill with a virus turned sinus infection, so we didn't get to do quite as much as we had hoped, but we got a good sense of Wilmington and surrounding areas, and it proved to be a family pleasing destination.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

She said: "If my husband can't get respite, which he would have been getting in Dalriada, if I take ill what's going to become of him?

BBC

"As I was with her the night she took ill, I am believed to be exposed.

The New Yorker

The parents of a teen-age girl at boarding school got a letter from her last week: "Sylvia is believed to have the mumps," she wrote, "As I was with her the night she took ill, I am believed to be exposed.

The New Yorker

The New Yorker, January 21 , 1950 P. 19The parents of a teen-age girl at boarding school got a letter from her last week: "Sylvia is believed to have the mumps," she wrote, "As I was with her the night she took ill, I am believed to be exposed.

The New Yorker

Since I began writing about these issues in July, when my father took ill, I've had readers argue that how and when we die is not for us to decide, but is in the hands of a higher authority.

Los Angeles Times

But then she took ill, and my sister N and I knew that she needed more help.

Huffington Post

I have been offline caring for a loved one who took ill.

Huffington Post

Miss Treadway took ill and died.

The New Yorker

The father was deported, took ill, and died.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of your audience; while grammatically correct, "I took ill" may sound slightly old-fashioned in some contemporary settings.

Common error

Avoid using "I took ill" in very casual conversations. It's more appropriate for written narratives or formal spoken contexts. In everyday speech, consider using simpler phrases like "I got sick" or "I fell ill".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I took ill" functions as a statement of fact, indicating that the speaker experienced the onset of an illness. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and serves to inform the listener or reader of the speaker's condition.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I took ill" is a grammatically correct way to express that one became sick, although it carries a slightly formal or old-fashioned tone. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While primarily found in news and media contexts, its usage is relatively uncommon compared to alternatives like "I fell ill" or "I got sick". When using this phrase, consider the intended audience and context to ensure it aligns with the desired level of formality. While it's generally acceptable, modern speakers and writers tend to opt for more common alternatives in everyday conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I fell ill

A common and direct synonym, indicating the speaker became sick.

I became unwell

A more general term indicating a decline in health, not necessarily a serious illness.

I was stricken with illness

Suggests a sudden and severe onset of illness.

I was afflicted with sickness

Indicates suffering from an illness.

I came down with something

An informal way of saying the speaker contracted an illness.

I succumbed to illness

Implies a yielding or giving in to an illness.

I was laid up with sickness

Suggests being confined due to illness.

My health deteriorated

Focuses on the decline of health over time.

I experienced a health setback

A more formal way to express a negative change in health.

I developed a health problem

Indicates the emergence of a specific health issue.

FAQs

What's a more common alternative to "I took ill"?

More common alternatives include "I fell ill", "I got sick", or "I became unwell", depending on the desired level of formality.

Is "I took ill" grammatically correct?

Yes, "I took ill" is grammatically correct, although it might sound somewhat formal or old-fashioned to modern ears.

When is it appropriate to use "I took ill"?

"I took ill" is suitable for descriptive or narrative writing, or in more formal spoken contexts where you want to convey a sudden onset of illness.

What's the difference between "I took ill" and "I fell ill"?

While both phrases describe becoming sick, "I took ill" can sound slightly more formal or archaic compared to the more commonly used "I fell ill".