a little sick

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a little sick" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the feeling of being slightly ill. For example: "I'm feeling a little sick so I'm going to take a nap."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I felt a little sick.

Independent

You sound a little sick.

The New York Times

"I'm a little sick," he said, tentatively.

The New Yorker

Bethany is feeling a little sick.

The Guardian - Books

"It's almost a little sick," she said.

The New York Times

"Green's a little sick," McKinniss said, pleasantly.

The New Yorker

I'm getting a little sick of it myself".

The New York Times - Sports

"I was a little sick, but Bert was perverted".

The New York Times - Sports

They went anyway, he explained, "because Grandma's a little sick".

The New York Times - Magazine

We're just getting a little sick of toothless public "engagement".

The Guardian - Opinion

It makes you a little sick and a little wistful.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing your health status, be specific about your symptoms if more detail is needed. Instead of saying "I feel "a little sick"", try "I have a slight headache and feel fatigued."

Common error

Avoid relying solely on vague phrases like "a little sick" when providing important health information. Providing specific symptoms helps others understand your condition better and offer appropriate assistance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a little sick" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of being mildly ill. Ludwig examples showcase its use in describing personal feelings or the condition of others. Ludwig AI confirms that this usage is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

10%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a little sick" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a mild feeling of illness. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability. While versatile, the phrase is generally informal, with more formal alternatives available for professional contexts. Its high frequency in news media and personal narratives underscores its widespread use. When aiming for clarity and precision, particularly in medical or professional settings, consider providing more specific details about the symptoms experienced instead of relying solely on the general term "a little sick".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly unwell

Replaces "sick" with "unwell" to soften the description of illness.

somewhat ill

Uses "ill" instead of "sick", indicating a similar but perhaps milder condition.

feeling queasy

Specifies nausea as the primary symptom of being slightly sick.

under the weather

An idiomatic expression for feeling mildly unwell.

not quite right

A vague expression for feeling off or unwell without specifying the exact ailment.

a bit nauseated

Focuses specifically on the symptom of nausea.

lightly indisposed

A more formal way of saying someone is slightly unwell.

a touch unwell

Emphasizes the slightness of the illness using "touch".

slightly peaky

Uses the British slang term "peaky" to describe a pale or unwell appearance.

feeling off-color

An expression indicating a general feeling of being unwell or not at one's best.

FAQs

How can I use "a little sick" in a sentence?

You can use "a little sick" to describe a mild feeling of illness. For example, "I'm feeling "a little sick" today, so I'm going to stay home from work."

What's the difference between "a little sick" and "very sick"?

"A little sick" implies a mild illness, while "very sick" indicates a more severe condition. The level of severity is the key distinction.

What can I say instead of "a little sick"?

You can use alternatives like "slightly unwell", "somewhat ill", or "under the weather depending on the context".

Is it appropriate to use "a little sick" in formal writing?

While "a little sick" is widely understood, it might be better to use more formal alternatives like "mildly ill" or "slightly unwell" in formal writing to maintain a professional tone.