ail

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "ail" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is typically used as a verb meaning "to be afflicted with," as in "She ails from a chronic stomach ache." It can also be used as a noun meaning "a cause of distress," as in "What ails her today?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Simply put, the Conservatives do not look (or sound) like the face of Canada.Kai Chan DubaiReform health careSIR – I applaud your prescriptions for addressing what continues to ail American health care ("How to fix Obamacare", September 20th).

The Economist

Intolerance seems to ail Nigeria rather than misrepresentation.

The Economist

The shoestring coup Ail the king See you in court Soaring ambition Correction Nigeriaa ReprintsJust as important, says Fadi Ghandour, the founder of Aramex, a Dubai-based logistics company, is that the city has excellent "soft infrastructure".

The Economist

In September Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary-general, set up an independent Ebola mission.In this section Too big to ail Blessed peacemakers Rattling the tin ReprintsEbola exposed weaknesses in the WHO's ability to respond to disease outbreaks.

The Economist

The shoestring coup Ail the king See you in court Soaring ambition Correction Nigeriaa ReprintsUnder Saudi Arabia's' complicated system, power is not passed by primogeniture.

The Economist

The shoestring coup Ail the king See you in court Soaring ambition Correction Nigeriaa ReprintsMr Jammeh's police are accused by human-rights groups of torturing opposition activists and of the disappearance of journalists.

The Economist

The shoestring coup Ail the king See you in court Soaring ambition Correction Nigeria Reprintss.

The Economist

In 2013 the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons became the 23rd body rewarded for, arguably, just doing its job.In this section Too big to ail Blessed peacemakers Rattling the tin Reprints.

The Economist

The window will not remain open forever: soon the baby boomers will start to ail, and no one else alive today is likely to have such a rich retirement.Meanwhile, with the over-50s holding the purse strings, the towns that draw them are likely to grow more and more pleasant.

The Economist

Antonio Pimenta Neves, a journalist who was found guilty of the murder of his former girlfriend nine years ago, has yet to go to jail.The problems that ail the courts are clear from behind the large desk of judge Luiz Zveiter, the current president of Rio's Tribunal of Justice.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Eat a dish heavily seasoned with the pink French garlic sold under the brand name Ail Rose de Lautrec, and those within breathing distance may not realize it's a connoisseur's garlic.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ail", consider the nuance of its slightly archaic tone. In modern contexts, alternatives like "suffer from" or "troubled by" may sound more contemporary.

Common error

Avoid overusing "ail" in informal writing. While grammatically correct, its somewhat antiquated feel might make your writing sound stilted or unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "ail" is as an intransitive verb, indicating a state of suffering or being troubled. Ludwig examples show its use in asking about the cause of distress or describing a general state of being unwell. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Formal & Business

23%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ail" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb that describes suffering or being troubled. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is considered correct. While versatile, it carries a somewhat formal or slightly archaic tone. Examples curated by Ludwig showcase its prevalence in news and media, alongside business and scientific contexts. For contemporary writing, consider alternatives like "suffer from" or "troubled by" to achieve a more modern feel.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suffer from

Focuses specifically on experiencing negative effects or symptoms of a condition.

be afflicted with

Emphasizes being affected by something negative, often a disease or problem.

troubled by

Highlights the state of being disturbed or worried by something.

struggle with

Indicates an ongoing effort to overcome a difficulty or problem.

experience discomfort

Focuses on the physical or mental unease felt.

be unwell

A general term for not being in good health.

feel poorly

Describes a state of feeling sick or not in good health.

be in pain

Specifically indicates experiencing physical suffering.

fall ill

Describes the process of becoming sick.

succumb to

Implies a yielding to a negative influence or condition.

FAQs

How can I use "ail" in a sentence?

You can use "ail" to describe a state of suffering or illness. For example, "What "troubles" you?" or "He "suffers from" a chronic condition."

What can I say instead of "ail"?

You can use alternatives such as "suffer from", "trouble", or "afflict" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "ail" or "ailing"?

"Ail" is the base verb form, while "ailing" is the present participle and can function as an adjective. For example, "What "ails" you?" versus "The "ailing" patient needed care."

What's the difference between "ail" and "ailment"?

"Ail" is a verb meaning to suffer or trouble, while "ailment" is a noun referring to a sickness or disorder. You might say, "What "ails" him?" meaning what is causing him to suffer, while an "ailment" is the sickness itself.