a host of illnesses

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a host of illnesses" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large number or variety of illnesses affecting someone or something. Example: "The patient was diagnosed with a host of illnesses, including diabetes and hypertension."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

His son Larry recalled in an earlier interview, "When my father became ill, local doctors diagnosed a host of illnesses, but no one diagnosed Alzheimer's.

Huffington Post

Research shows that "children who are breastfed are less likely to be susceptible to a host of illnesses like asthma, diabetes and obesity," Mr. Merkley said.

The New York Times

As doctors never tire of reminding people, exercise protects against a host of illnesses, from heart attacks and dementia to diabetes and infection.How it does so, however, remains surprisingly mysterious.

The Economist

Readers will learn the time of day, the month and the year that symptoms flare in a host of illnesses, why sleeping in a room facing east helps the winter blues, and the best times to take medical tests, to exercise and to have sex (for those eager to conceive).

The New York Times - Health

The work that Snow, who was born 200 years ago last Friday, undertook to prove his case remains a classic of medical detection and reveals Snow as one of the founders of epidemiology, a science that has since helped unravel the causes of a host of illnesses and saved countless lives.

The Guardian - Opinion

The academy report noted the seals, whales and penguins native to Antarctica have evolved physiologies adapted to the extreme environment, and this "could hold the key to understanding and preventing a host of illnesses and conditions that plague humans, such as heart attacks, strokes and decompression sickness".

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The scientific advances that are identifying biological and neurological connections for a host of mental illnesses also include addiction.

The New York Times

She also found that a host of other illnesses affected Latina mothers-to-be more than anyone else, like gall bladder problems and some types of hepatitis.

The New York Times - Health

The chemical has also been linked to a host of other illnesses and disorders including breast cancer, heart disease, adult obesity and behavioral problems in children.

The Guardian

It is clear that obesity is tightly linked to a host of chronic illnesses, among them heart disease, hypertension and Type 2 diabetes.

The New York Times

The Democrats clearly think they hold a winning card in stem cell research because of its potential, eventually, to yield treatments for diabetes, heart disease, neurological ailments and a host of other illnesses.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a host of illnesses", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you are referring to physical, mental, or both types of ailments. Be specific where possible.

Common error

Avoid using "a host of illnesses" as a vague placeholder. If possible, provide examples or categories of the illnesses to give the reader a clearer understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a host of illnesses" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. Ludwig examples confirm this usage, showcasing its role in describing the extent of health problems. Ludwig AI also confirms that the phrase is usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a host of illnesses" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe a large number or variety of illnesses. As indicated by Ludwig AI, this phrase is perfectly acceptable. Analysis of Ludwig examples reveals its common usage in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. While versatile, clarity is enhanced by providing specific examples or categories of illnesses. The phrase’s authoritative sources include The New York Times, Huffington Post, and The Guardian. When writing, it's valuable to aim for concision and to be as informative as possible for the reader. If applicable, try to list the specific ailments instead of being generic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A multitude of diseases

Replaces "illnesses" with "diseases" to denote a broader spectrum of ailments.

A range of health problems

Substitutes the more general "health problems" for specific illnesses, broadening the scope.

A variety of medical conditions

Uses "medical conditions" to encompass both illnesses and other health-related states.

Numerous sicknesses

Replaces "host" with "numerous" and "illnesses" with "sicknesses" for a more informal tone.

Many different ailments

Emphasizes the variety of ailments affecting someone.

A cluster of health issues

Highlights the clustering or co-occurrence of multiple health issues.

Several forms of disease

Focuses on the different forms or types of diseases present.

Multiple chronic conditions

Specifically refers to long-lasting or recurring health conditions.

Various health complications

Highlights the complexity and interconnectedness of multiple health problems.

A spectrum of health challenges

Replaces "illnesses" with the more neutral "health challenges".

FAQs

What does "a host of illnesses" mean?

The phrase "a host of illnesses" refers to a large number or wide variety of illnesses that affect a person, population, or system. It emphasizes the numerous and diverse nature of the health problems being discussed.

How can I use "a host of illnesses" in a sentence?

You can use "a host of illnesses" to describe the health challenges faced by someone or something. For example, "The patient suffered from "a host of illnesses", including diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis."

What are some alternatives to "a host of illnesses"?

Some alternatives to "a host of illnesses" include "a multitude of diseases", "a range of health problems", or "various health complications".

Is it better to list the specific illnesses rather than using "a host of illnesses"?

Listing specific illnesses is preferable when you have accurate and relevant information. However, when you want to emphasize the sheer number and diversity of health problems without listing each one, "a host of illnesses" is appropriate.