ailing spirit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ailing spirit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is experiencing emotional or mental distress, often implying a need for healing or support. Example: "After the loss of her loved one, she felt an ailing spirit that needed nurturing and care."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The crushing pace required to keep these countless responsibilities aloft, while destructive to my ailing spirit, rendered life manageable".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

SPORTSSUNDAY Second Mars Rover Lands The rover Opportunity touched down on the opposite side of Mars from its ailing twin, Spirit.

The New York Times

"Actions of an External Agent" were mentioned rarely but refer to external curses on a mother or her ailing child, the spirits of angry ancestors or the will of God.

BMC Public Health

Lucious, as we meet him, is as ailing in soul and spirit as in body.

Los Angeles Times

The product of a commission intended to rally an ailing, heartsick composer's spirits, the 1943 piece is now canon; many orchestras play it superbly.

The New York Times - Arts

"What ails the American spirit?" Newsweek asked six historians for its 1970 Fourth of July issue.

The New Yorker

Monday's news of a government intervention in ailing banks briefly lifted the spirits of some retailers, who are hoping that new accessories and handbags will continue to sell, even if customers plan to wear them with last year's little black dress.

The New York Times

Similarly, Kenneth Ryan's Peter, Isobel's ailing brother, who despairs of his unlived life, comes across as more petulant and cranky than movingly broken in spirit.

The New York Times

The titled gentlemen of Lord's – who invented Twenty20 to entice English proletarians into cricket grounds and thus rescue ailing county clubs – think this a desecration of cricket's true, Corinthian spirit.

The Guardian - Opinion

When the writer John Underwood and his family visited Ted Williams in Hernando, Fla., a little more than a year ago, Williams, the ailing Boston Red Sox legend, moved with the aid of a walker, but his spirits were soaring.

The New York Times - Sports

Uncle Boonmee (which screened late in the competition) charts the final hours of an ailing farmer who is visited by the ghost of his dead wife and the spirit of his lost son, who romps out of the forest in the guise of an ape.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ailing spirit", consider the context and ensure it aligns with the intended meaning of emotional or spiritual distress. It is best suited for formal writing or situations where a more evocative description is desired.

Common error

Avoid using "ailing spirit" to describe physical illness. The phrase is specific to emotional or spiritual states, not physical health. For physical ailments, use terms like "ailing health" or "sickly body".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ailing spirit" functions primarily as a descriptive noun phrase, where "ailing" modifies "spirit". As seen in Ludwig, it describes a state of emotional or spiritual distress. It adds depth and nuance to the description.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ailing spirit" is a phrase used to describe emotional or spiritual distress. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, albeit with rare frequency. Predominantly found in News & Media, it serves to evoke empathy and highlight vulnerability. For alternatives, consider "troubled soul" or "weary heart". While grammatically sound, ensure proper context, avoiding its use for physical ailments. This comprehensive analysis provides a deeper understanding of its usage and appropriate application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

troubled soul

This alternative replaces "spirit" with "soul", suggesting a deep emotional or moral distress.

weary heart

This alternative uses "heart" instead of "spirit", highlighting emotional exhaustion and sadness.

suffering soul

This alternative emphasizes the pain and distress experienced by the soul.

depressed spirit

This alternative uses "depressed" to directly describe the state of the spirit, indicating a state of sadness and low morale.

broken spirit

This alternative implies that the spirit has been damaged or crushed by hardship.

failing morale

This alternative replaces the spiritual aspect with "morale", focusing on the loss of enthusiasm and confidence.

flagging spirits

This alternative uses "flagging" to describe spirits that are weakening or losing energy.

weakened resolve

This alternative focuses on the diminishing of determination and willpower.

dwindling hope

This alternative highlights the reduction of hope and optimism.

sagging spirits

This alternative indicates that the spirits are drooping or losing their vitality.

FAQs

What does "ailing spirit" mean?

"Ailing spirit" refers to a state of emotional or spiritual distress, indicating a need for healing or comfort.

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

You can say, "After the series of unfortunate events, she felt an "ailing spirit" that needed nurturing and care."

What can I say instead of "ailing spirit"?

You can use alternatives like "troubled soul", "weary heart", or "suffering soul" depending on the context.

Is "ailing spirit" a common phrase?

While not extremely common, "ailing spirit" is a recognized phrase that is used to convey a specific sense of emotional or spiritual distress.