badly ailing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "badly ailing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is suffering from a serious illness or condition. Example: "The once vibrant garden is now badly ailing, with wilting plants and overgrown weeds."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Robert Byrd of West Virginia has only just left the hospital after a six-week stay, and Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts is badly ailing from a brain tumour.

The Economist

The Left Front, throughout the 1990s, had made noises about the necessity of attracting investment, even foreign investment, to the state to boost its largely agrarian, badly ailing economy.

The Guardian - Books

With a badly ailing economy and the loss of a supposedly safe by-election, many senior figures in the party joined in the panic.

BBC

Recently, people who live in Tokyo have begun confessing a liking for Shintaro Ishihara, the capital's governor, who has implemented several policies to improve the city's badly ailing finances.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

In 1988 the Scottish painter John Bellany needed a liver transplant: he was ailing badly and even his paintings had become pale and wan.

The Guardian - Arts

Four years later, with several of his new luxury brands ailing badly, François Pinault invited his son to dinner at L'Ami Louis, a Paris restaurant known for its Rabelaisian roast chicken.

The New York Times

With Europe's woes likely to drag on for years, the Continent also creates doubts about whether the United States can thrive when such a crucial trading partner, with close financial links to American banks, is ailing badly.

The New York Times

One day a few weeks after I got him back from the hospital, still ailing badly but bored witless by inertia, Pup announced that he was going to go to his garage study to recommence work on his Goldwater memoir.

The New York Times - Magazine

It is true that the magazine is ailing badly in the marketplace, but Conor doesn't understand how the relentless stream of "cheers mate, got pissed last night, ha ha" interviews that clutter every single issue of the 'new' NME are simply not interesting to those of us who have no trouble standing upright.

The Guardian - Music

But no one has to look far to see how badly the sport is ailing.

The New York Times - Sports

Johnny is a closeted dreamer who has sacrificed his life to looking after his ailing father badly injured in a railway explosion.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context when using "badly ailing". It is often used in formal writing, such as news reports or academic papers, to describe serious situations.

Common error

Avoid using "badly ailing" in casual conversations or informal writing, as it can sound overly dramatic or stilted. Simpler phrases like "very sick" or "not doing well" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "badly ailing" functions as an adjective phrase, where "badly" modifies the adjective "ailing". This construction emphasizes the severity of the condition being described. Ludwig examples showcase its use in describing health, economies, and organizations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "badly ailing" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe something experiencing a severe state of illness, decline, or distress. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and while the phrase is valid, it's more appropriate for formal contexts like news reports and professional communications, as its use in informal settings can sound overdramatic. According to Ludwig's analysis, the phrase functions as an adjective phrase and appears most frequently in News & Media. When aiming for less formal language, alternatives like "seriously ill" or "gravely unwell" might be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seriously ill

Replaces the adverb "badly" and adjective "ailing" with a more common adjective phrase to indicate severe illness.

gravely unwell

Substitutes "ailing" with "unwell" and "badly" with "gravely", emphasizing the seriousness of the condition.

extremely unwell

Uses a more direct adjective to indicate that the subject is not healthy and in poor condition.

in critical condition

Indicates a state of extreme illness or injury, often requiring immediate medical attention.

in poor health

A more general term indicating a decline in health, though it may not necessarily imply a life-threatening situation.

suffering severely

Focuses on the experience of suffering due to illness, rather than directly describing the state of being ill.

failing rapidly

Highlights the quick deterioration of health or condition.

declining sharply

Emphasizes the sudden and significant worsening of health or other conditions.

rapidly deteriorating

Similar to "failing rapidly", but emphasizes the process of decline.

in a state of decline

Describes a more prolonged period of worsening condition.

FAQs

What does "badly ailing" mean?

"Badly ailing" means to be suffering severely from illness or a decline in health or condition. It suggests a state of serious sickness or deterioration.

What can I say instead of "badly ailing"?

You can use alternatives like "seriously ill", "gravely unwell", or "in critical condition" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "badly ailing"?

Yes, "badly ailing" is grammatically correct and understandable, according to Ludwig AI. It is used to describe something or someone suffering severely. However, consider the context as more common alternatives may be more appropriate.

In what contexts is "badly ailing" most appropriate?

"Badly ailing" is most appropriate in formal and professional contexts, such as news reports or academic papers, when describing a serious illness, economic downturn, or organizational decline. Overusing this phrase might sound inappropriate in casual conversations.