Taken sick

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Taken sick" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who has become ill or unwell, often in a more formal or literary context. Example: "He had taken sick during the journey and was unable to continue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

because the locomotive has taken sick.

Princeton University

In other cases, little Freddie is suddenly taken sick.

The Guardian

Feminine member of the pair was taken sick.

The New Yorker

When first contacted in June, he had just taken sick leave for a heart problem.

The New York Times

In the first episode, about 20-25% of North Americans fell ill, with a maximum of around 4% of the population taken sick at the same time.

The Economist

Suspecting that he had taken sick days to work on his home, fire department officials and an outside lawyer questioned Mr. Delia and asked to inspect his house.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Over the three surveys, of those with 0 days of LBP, 1-2% reported to have taken sick-leave because of LBP in the preceding year.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

At the 1-month visit, 33 patients reported that they had taken sick-leave, 2 at the 3-month visit and 1 at the 6-month visit.

BMC Infectious Diseases

It just took sick.

The New York Times

Children took sick and died.

The Guardian - Books

We do not take sick days.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, ensure the tone fits the audience as it could be replaced by words such as "became ill" or "contracted a disease", depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid using "taken sick" in casual contexts where simpler language like "got sick" or "became ill" would be more appropriate. Using overly formal language can sometimes sound unnatural or affected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "taken sick" functions as a verb phrase indicating the onset of an illness. It is used to describe someone who has become unwell, similar to Ludwig AI's assessment of its correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

32%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "taken sick" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the onset of illness. While it is considered usable, simpler alternatives such as "fallen ill" or "became unwell" are more common in modern English. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is suitable across a range of formal and informal contexts, primarily appearing in news, academic, and scientific sources. When choosing this phrase, consider the level of formality appropriate for your audience to ensure clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Fallen ill

Implies a more sudden or unexpected onset of illness.

Became unwell

A more general term for a decline in health.

Took ill

Similar to "taken sick" but less commonly used.

Was stricken with illness

Suggests a more severe or impactful onset of sickness.

Contracted an illness

Focuses on the acquisition of a disease.

Succumbed to sickness

Indicates a weakening or giving in to illness.

Developed a condition

A broader term that may refer to a chronic or ongoing health issue.

Became indisposed

A more formal or euphemistic way of saying someone is sick.

Was afflicted with

Implies suffering from a particular ailment or disease.

Caught a disease

Specifically refers to acquiring a communicable disease.

FAQs

What does "taken sick" mean?

"Taken sick" means that someone has become ill or unwell. It is a relatively formal way of expressing the onset of sickness.

Is "taken sick" a common phrase?

While understandable, "taken sick" might sound somewhat formal or old-fashioned in everyday conversation. Simpler alternatives like "got sick" or "became ill" are often preferred in informal contexts.

Which is more common, "taken sick" or "became sick"?

"Became sick" is generally more common in contemporary English. "Taken sick" has a slightly more formal or literary feel.

What are some alternatives to "taken sick"?

Some alternatives include "fallen ill", "became unwell", or simply "got sick", depending on the desired level of formality.