I was ailing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was ailing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of being unwell or suffering from an illness in the past. Example: "During the winter months, I was ailing from a persistent cold that made it difficult to concentrate on my work."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

By 2008, it was ailing.

The New York Times

And it was ailing a bit".

The New York Times

"I don't think it's dead, but I do think it's ailing," he replied.

Huffington Post

It wasn't that I missed what was ailing Career Marketplace, it's that I rationalized why it would and should be struggling, paving the way for bad business practices to go uncorrected.

Forbes

IEAH Stables, which bought 50percentt of the horse in March, asserts that I Want Revenge was ailing as early as April 7 and that the co-owner David Lanzman, who managed the colt's racing activities, failed to disclose the injuries to IEAH.

The New York Times - Sports

I have a houseplant that was ailing until I put it outside for the summer, and it came back to life.

The New York Times

When my beloved 14-year-old pug was ailing, I sensibly resisted the vet's recommendations of M.R.I.'s and echocardiograms -- after all, he was just a dog, not a person.

The New York Times

In hindsight, I see symptoms that Nigger was ailing.

Independent

Soon after Jerry came to Forbes I asked him what he thought was ailing GM.

Forbes

Mullins and two veterinarians who examined I Want Revenge were not certain what was ailing him.

The New York Times

I had flown to Cairo to find out what was ailing so many Egyptians.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I was ailing", consider providing context about the nature or cause of the ailment to give the reader a clearer understanding of the situation.

Common error

While "ailing" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal writing. Opt for more precise medical terminology or simpler alternatives like "unwell" or "ill" for clarity and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was ailing" functions as a statement of past condition, specifically indicating that the speaker experienced a period of poor health. Although there aren't specific examples, Ludwig AI confirms that this usage is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I was ailing" is grammatically correct and conveys a past state of poor health, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. While semantically valid, it lacks current widespread use. Alternatives such as "I was unwell" or "I was sick" may be more commonly used. There is no sufficient data, the register is leaning neutral to slightly formal, making it suitable for descriptive writing or narrative contexts where a degree of formality is desired. In professional settings, more explicit language may be needed. The absence of examples limits usage pattern analysis, however.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was unwell

Focuses on a general state of not being well, lacking a specific ailment.

I was not well

A straightforward and simple way to express a lack of good health.

I was feeling sick

Describes the subjective feeling of being ill, emphasizing the sensation.

I was under the weather

An idiomatic expression indicating a mild illness or feeling of discomfort.

I was indisposed

A more formal way of saying unwell, often used to politely decline engagements.

I was in poor health

Emphasizes the general condition of one's health as being substandard.

I was suffering

Highlights the experience of enduring pain or discomfort due to illness.

I was laid up

Suggests being confined due to illness, often implying a longer duration.

I was not myself

Implies a deviation from one's normal state of being due to illness or distress.

My health was failing

Indicates a progressive decline in health, suggesting a more serious condition.

FAQs

What does "I was ailing" mean?

The phrase "I was ailing" means that the speaker was experiencing poor health or suffering from an illness at some point in the past. It implies a state of being unwell or in less than optimal condition.

What can I say instead of "I was ailing"?

You can use alternatives like "I was unwell", "I was sick", or "I was under the weather" depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "I was ailing"?

Yes, the phrase "I was ailing" is grammatically correct and understandable in English. However, it's less common in modern usage compared to alternatives like "I was sick" or "I was unwell".

How formal is the phrase "I was ailing"?

The phrase "I was ailing" is somewhat formal. In casual conversation, "I was sick" or "I was feeling poorly" might be more appropriate. "I was ailing" works well in more descriptive or narrative writing.