ailing slightly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ailing slightly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is experiencing minor health issues or difficulties. Example: "After a long week of work, I found myself ailing slightly, so I decided to take a day off to rest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hotels were packed with smart people, and the city was bustling with slick doctors and their slightly ailing yet mostly cheerful patients.

The Economist

Three major California banks also reported improved profits, although ailing Crocker Bank did only slightly better than break even for the second straight quarter.

Los Angeles Times

Released to coincide with the 50th anniversary of its broadcast, this made-for-TV special, which revived the ailing career of the then slightly foxed superstar Elvis Presley, continues to enchant.

The Guardian - Film

But the two differed slightly on whether Kidd, with an ailing lower back, would play on Friday against the Milwaukee Bucks.

The New York Times - Sports

Or will they just come up with another elegant compromise that will keep France's flag flying, slightly frayed, on top of an ailing former state darling industrial sector… until the next crisis?

Forbes

As Eisenstein, Louis Otey replaced an ailing David Kuebler; a big, bearlike man with a solid if slightly inelegant voice, he had a lot of fun with the part.

The New York Times - Arts

"We talk about Kraft ailing because they're not growing or the cash flow has decreased slightly, but they are producing a huge amount of cash flow".

The New York Times

Stocks are expected to open mixed to slightly lower today, depressed by concerns about the situation in Brazil after the countrys ailing currency, the real, weakened even further this morning.

Forbes

But eventually, genetically modified pigs (perhaps slightly human in their genetics) will be able to produce livers, kidneys, hearts and pancreases for ailing patients.

The New York Times

"The culture was ailing.

The Economist

BAE is ailing.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ailing slightly" to describe a condition that is not severe, avoiding exaggeration. This phrase is best suited for formal or neutral contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "ailing slightly" when the condition is serious. This phrase is for minor health issues; using it otherwise can diminish the gravity of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ailing slightly" primarily functions as a descriptive modifier. "Ailing" acts as an adjective describing a state of being unwell, and "slightly" modifies the degree of that state, indicating a mild condition. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ailing slightly" is a grammatically sound and relatively uncommon way to describe a minor state of ill health. Ludwig AI supports this by stating it's correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to convey a mild degree of sickness or decline without causing alarm. While appropriate for formal or neutral settings, it's crucial to avoid its use when describing serious conditions. Alternatives like "slightly unwell" or "a bit under the weather" can offer similar nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly unwell

Replaces "ailing" with a more common synonym, "unwell", maintaining the "slightly" adverb.

mildly ill

Replaces "slightly" with "mildly", both adverbs indicating a low degree of illness.

a bit under the weather

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey mild illness.

somewhat sick

Substitutes "ailing" with "sick" and "slightly" with "somewhat" for a similar meaning.

feeling a bit poorly

Uses "poorly" as a synonym for "ailing" with a similar level of intensity.

slightly indisposed

Replaces "ailing" with the more formal "indisposed", maintaining a formal tone.

in somewhat poor health

Uses "poor health" to replace "ailing" and "somewhat" to replace "slightly", creating a more descriptive alternative.

a touch of illness

Uses a more figurative expression to describe a small amount of illness.

not quite up to par

Employs an idiomatic expression meaning not at one's best, implying a slight decline in health.

slightly weakened

Focuses on the weakened state aspect of being ailing, rather than directly stating illness.

FAQs

How can I use "ailing slightly" in a sentence?

You can use "ailing slightly" to describe someone or something experiencing a minor health issue or decline. For example, "After a long week, he was "ailing slightly" and decided to rest."

What are some alternatives to saying "ailing slightly"?

Alternatives include "slightly unwell", "a bit under the weather", or "mildly ill". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it appropriate to use "ailing slightly" in formal writing?

Yes, "ailing slightly" can be used in formal writing, especially when describing a minor or temporary health issue. It is more formal than phrases like "a bit under the weather".

What's the difference between "ailing slightly" and "seriously ill"?

"Ailing slightly" indicates a mild condition, while "seriously ill" describes a severe health problem. Using the correct phrase ensures accurate communication about the state of someone's health.