as ailing as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as ailing as" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to compare the state of being unwell or in poor condition, but it lacks proper context or structure. Example: "He felt as ailing as he did during his last illness."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Wiki

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The Liberal Opposition seized on the state of affairs and charged that the Labor Party was "as ailing as the man who led it".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

IEAH Stables, which bought 50percentt of the horse in March, asserts that I Want Revenge was ailing as early as April 7 and that the co-owner David Lanzman, who managed the colt's racing activities, failed to disclose the injuries to IEAH.

The New York Times - Sports

But Atlanta is ailing, as well.

The New York Times - Sports

Other forums for global leadership are ailing as well.

The New Yorker

Holberg, which owns 60% of AmeriServe, is ailing as well, losing $179 million last year.

Forbes

They're as ailing and ancient as they are effective and enduring.

The New York Times - Sports

Radioactive iodine was a key component of Chernobyl fallout, and along the path of that grim extrusion there are today thousands of deaths as well as ailing adults who were children in 1986.

The New York Times

Others, such as ailing lads' mag Loaded, are just rude.

The Guardian

"I was beyond shocked," Mr. Berry said, recounting his reaction to seeing himself portrayed as ailing and crippled.

The New York Times

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

Los Angeles Times

The cast includes Michelle Pfeiffer as the evil witch, Claire Danes as a heavenly star made flesh, Ricky Gervais as a fence, Peter O'Toole as the ailing king, Jason Flemyng and Rupert Everett as Primus and Secundus, the heirs to his throne, and Robert De Niro as the captain of an airborne pirate ship who dances the cancan.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's poor health, prefer using established phrases like "as sick as" or "as unwell as" instead of "as ailing as" for clarity and broader acceptance.

Common error

Avoid using "as ailing as" in formal or professional contexts. It's often perceived as awkward or incorrect. Opt for more conventional and readily understood alternatives to ensure your writing is clear and well-received.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as ailing as" functions as a comparative phrase, attempting to describe a state of poor health in relation to another entity. However, its usage is limited and considered grammatically questionable, as noted by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as ailing as" is used to make a comparison regarding someone's or something's state of poor health. However, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect, and its usage is relatively rare. While it appears in diverse contexts like news and general discussions, it's safer to opt for more standard alternatives like "as sick as" or "as unwell as", especially in formal writing, to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness. Given its limited acceptance, relying on clearer and more common phrases will improve your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as sick as

Directly replaces "ailing" with a more common synonym for sickness.

as unwell as

Uses a more general term for not being in good health.

as weak as

Focuses on the physical weakness associated with illness.

as feeble as

Emphasizes a lack of strength or energy.

as fragile as

Highlights the vulnerability and delicacy of someone who is sick.

in as poor health as

A more formal way of expressing a similar condition.

suffering as much as

Emphasizes the experience of suffering due to illness.

struggling as much as

Focuses on the difficulty and effort involved in coping with illness.

as diminished as

Highlights a reduction in overall condition or ability.

as impaired as

Focuses on the functional limitations caused by illness.

FAQs

What's a better alternative to "as ailing as"?

Common alternatives include "as sick as" or "as unwell as", which are more widely accepted and understood in English.

Is "as ailing as" grammatically correct?

While the meaning might be clear, "as ailing as" is not considered standard English. Ludwig AI marks it as grammatically incorrect. It is better to use "as sick as" instead.

Can I use "as ailing as" in formal writing?

It's best to avoid "as ailing as" in formal contexts. More common and accepted phrases will make your writing clearer and more professional.

How can I use "sick" or "unwell" in a similar comparison?

You can use "as sick as" or "as unwell as" followed by the person or thing you're comparing to, like "He was as sick as he'd ever been".