ailing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ailing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is suffering from illness or poor health. Example: "The ailing patient was admitted to the hospital for further treatment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Make no mistake, Tesco may be ailing, but Clarke could yet blow its rivals out of the water.

The Guardian - Business

"So when Sisi stepped forward and did what he did, it was seen as a heroic act, taking a last-step measure to save the country from an ailing economy and a religious autocracy".

The Guardian

EU leaders were under renewed pressure today to agree immediate steps towards a full-scale rescue of ailing eurozone economies or risk a stock market rout when exchanges open on Monday.

The Guardian - Business

Maricel, 36, sobbed as she said she wanted to return to her children, aged seven and 11, who were being cared for by her ailing parents in the Philippines.

The Guardian

We, as an ailing nation, need that to be true.

The Guardian - Opinion

After a failed "kidnapping" of him and another sister as schoolchildren, the obese and gormless Jean-Claude, a poor student, was next heard of in 1971 when his ailing father named him as the country's next "president-for-life" and had him endorsed in a rigged referendum (2,391,916 to one, with two abstentions).

The Guardian

Monahan came to the ailing Flames after being drafted sixth overall this summer, and by way of a captaincy at the 67s, where he posted good numbers on an otherwise unimpressive 2012-13 team.

The Guardian - Sport

"It could have been a great way to show that we are a different kind of party and instead we had an ailing leader reinforcing the idea that it's all about one person".

The Guardian

His main concern was that the unions should be able to pursue their cause with all the main political parties, and he was sometimes annoyed and frustrated that they spent too much time in trying to prop up an ailing party with money and help.

The Guardian

But deliveries are not due to start until 2017, and neither Cameron nor anyone else can be sure that Sultan Qaboos, the ailing tyrant who seized the Omani throne with British help 44 years ago, will be there to receive them – or who may eventually end up using them.

The Guardian - Opinion

In October, Dave Lewis, Tesco's new chief executive, decided the eight-year-old video business will be sold, or shut, as the retailer refocuses on its core, ailing grocery business.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ailing" to describe an organization or system, ensure the context clearly indicates the specific area of decline, such as "ailing economy" or "ailing infrastructure".

Common error

Avoid using "ailing" to describe something that is simply old or outdated, unless it is also experiencing a decline in functionality or performance. For instance, an old technology is not necessarily "ailing" unless it is failing to meet current demands or standards.

Linguistic Context

The word "ailing" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe a state of poor health, decline, or weakness. This is consistent with the examples provided by Ludwig, where "ailing" is used to describe things like an economy, a leader, or a business.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "ailing" is an adjective used to describe something in a state of poor health or decline. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently found in news, business, and general informative contexts. While it maintains a neutral register, its purpose is to highlight a concerning condition, suggesting a need for action. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "in poor health", "declining", or "failing" depending on the specific context. When using "ailing", ensure that the context clearly defines the area of decline to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in poor health

Focuses specifically on the state of health.

sickly

Emphasizes a condition of frequent sickness.

unwell

A more general term for not feeling well.

failing

Highlights a decline in strength or effectiveness.

declining

Suggests a gradual deterioration in condition.

in decline

Describes the process of something becoming gradually worse or smaller.

weakening

Focuses on the loss of power, strength, or effectiveness.

deteriorating

Indicates a worsening condition over time.

suffering

Emphasizes the experience of pain or distress.

struggling

Highlights difficulty in maintaining a healthy or stable state.

FAQs

How can I use the word "ailing" in a sentence?

You can use "ailing" to describe something that is in poor health or declining, for example: "The "ailing economy" needs immediate support" or "She visited her "ailing father" in the hospital".

What are some alternatives to the word "ailing"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "in poor health", "declining", "failing", or "unwell".

Is it appropriate to use "ailing" to describe a person?

Yes, "ailing" can be used to describe a person who is in poor health or frequently sick. For example: "Her "ailing grandmother" requires constant care."

What is the difference between "ailing" and "sick"?

"Sick" is a more general term for not being well, whereas "ailing" suggests a more chronic or ongoing state of poor health or decline. Something that is "ailing" has been in poor health for a while.