as ill as

USAGE SUMMARY

"as ill as" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to compare two things, usually in terms of their negative qualities or conditions. Here is an example sentence: "She was feeling as ill as she had ever felt in her life." In this sentence, the speaker is comparing the person's current level of illness to the worst they have ever experienced. Another example could be: "The weather is as ill as I have ever seen it - constant rain and thunderstorms." In this case, the speaker is comparing the current weather conditions to the worst they have ever witnessed.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

No more of this 'I'm as ill as you' baloney.

The Guardian

Amy is no longer alluring; indeed, she looks as ill as she is.

The New Yorker

For someone as ill as Keats would be, it was a palliative, not a hallucinogen.

The New York Times

And we never knew that she was as ill as she was, the pain that she'd been through.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But that evening he was fetched back to find her in a greatly excited state, apparently as ill as ever.

The New Yorker

But he offered a familiar line of reasoning: that a defendant was not as ill as the other side claimed.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Any suggestion otherwise is as ill informed as it is inaccurate.

The New York Times

Repeatedly, Renn and his children make romantic choices as ill advised as they are understandable.

The New York Times - Books

Once people are labelled as mentally ill, as far as society is concerned, their civil and human rights are suspended for ever.

The Guardian - Opinion

"A shift to a nation based on extraconstitutional authority is prohibited, as well as ill advised".

The New York Times

At least ten were raped.Are hospitals for the mentally ill as bad as this suggests?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as ill as", ensure the comparison is clear and relevant to the context. For example, "He was as ill as a dog" is a common idiom, but consider if it accurately conveys the intended meaning compared to a more specific comparison.

Common error

Avoid using "as ill as" casually. Since it implies a significant level of sickness, consider using milder phrases like "slightly unwell" or "not feeling great" if the situation doesn't warrant such a strong comparison.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as ill as" primarily functions as a comparative construction, specifically used to equate the degree of illness between two subjects. This is supported by Ludwig AI's examples, which consistently show its use in establishing a parallel between states of sickness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

23%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as ill as" is a common phrase used for comparing the severity of illness between two subjects. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently found in news and media contexts. When employing "as ill as", ensure the comparison is clear and relevant, and be mindful of the intensity it conveys. Alternatives such as "as sick as" or "equally unwell as" can be used depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis. Being aware of these nuances allows for more effective and accurate communication about health conditions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as sick as

Direct synonym, replacing 'ill' with 'sick'.

equally unwell as

Replaces 'ill' with 'unwell' and uses 'equally' to indicate comparison.

just as unhealthy as

Substitutes 'ill' with 'unhealthy', focusing on a general lack of health.

in as poor health as

Rephrases to emphasize the state of 'health' being poor.

similarly diseased as

Uses 'diseased' to highlight the presence of a disease or ailment.

suffering to the same degree as

Focuses on the 'suffering' aspect of being ill, expressing a comparative level of discomfort.

as debilitated as

Emphasizes the weakening or enervating effect of the illness.

as weak as

Highlights physical weakness resulting from illness.

as frail as

Emphasizes the delicate and fragile nature of the health condition.

comparably impaired as

Focuses on the impaired functionality due to illness.

FAQs

How can I use "as ill as" in a sentence?

Use "as ill as" to compare the degree of illness between two subjects. For example, "She was "as ill as" her brother when he had the flu."

What's a more formal alternative to "as ill as"?

In more formal contexts, you could use "equally unwell as" or "suffering from a comparable degree of illness" to convey a similar meaning with greater precision.

Is there a difference between saying "as sick as" and "as ill as"?

While "sick" and "ill" are often interchangeable, "ill" might sound slightly more formal. Both "as sick as" and "as ill as" are valid for comparing states of sickness.

When should I avoid using the phrase "as ill as"?

Avoid using "as ill as" in contexts where a lighter expression is more appropriate. For instance, instead of saying "I'm as ill as can be" for a mild cold, try "I'm feeling a bit under the weather".