badly ill

USAGE SUMMARY

"badly ill" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is seriously ill. For example: "John has been badly ill for weeks, and his condition is not improving."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Last week, Achmat was badly ill.

The Guardian - Business

His father was badly ill but recovered as the scorching summer waned.

Independent

Also two years ago Nicholas Evans, author of The Horse Whisperer, fell badly ill after he, his wife and his brother- and sister-in-law picked webcaps (Cortinarius speciosissimus).

Independent

Newley had been badly ill and death intervened before he could make an impression remotely comparable with his days as a Las Vegas singer, when, according to legend, the mafia were so pleased with his boost to the gambling city that they pressed a brown Jaguar on him as a tip.

The Guardian

Snow had previously investigated arsenic poisoning when he and several fellow students were taken badly ill after he introduced a new process for preserving cadavers at the suggestion of lecturer Hunter Lane.

Wikipedia

The third was badly ill, likely with a gastro-intestinal infection caused by secretive sips of dirty water from the few cattle ponds that dot the desert often the only source of water available on the trails.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

There's a badly ill-judged cameo from Hugh Jackman, but also a good spoonful of laugh-out-loud gags, particularly those involving the red tape of local civic talent contests.

The Guardian - Film

To abuse means to mistreat, maltreat, ill-treat, treat badly, ill-use or misuse.

Huffington Post

Q. Doctors often say someone is "doing badly" or is "seriously ill" or "critically ill". A. But if you say, "Your father may well die," you will get a different response.

The New York Times

Most uninsured people who are badly injured or become seriously ill cannot afford to pay their medical bills.

The New York Times

I am the one who has to pick up the pieces when ignorant bureaucrats treat a fragile, seriously ill person so badly.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "badly ill" to emphasize the severity of someone's illness, particularly when describing the impact on their daily life or ability to function.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "badly ill" may sound less formal than alternatives like "seriously ill" or "gravely ill" in professional or academic writing. Consider the audience and purpose when choosing your words.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "badly ill" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun (typically a person) to describe their state of health. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in describing the severity of a medical condition. According to Ludwig AI, the expression is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "badly ill" is a grammatically sound and understandable way to describe someone who is seriously unwell. While it is most frequently found in news and media contexts, according to Ludwig, it is considered correct for general use. When writing, consider your audience and context; for more formal situations, alternatives like "seriously ill" or "gravely ill" might be more fitting. Remember that Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides various real-world examples to guide you.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seriously ill

Emphasizes the severity of the illness, similar to "badly ill" but perhaps with a slightly stronger connotation.

severely ill

Highlights the intensity or degree of sickness.

gravely ill

Suggests a life-threatening or very serious condition.

critically ill

Indicates that the person's condition is unstable and requires immediate medical attention.

terribly ill

Uses a more informal tone to convey the seriousness of the illness.

in critical condition

Focuses on the medical state requiring immediate attention and support.

desperately ill

Conveys a sense of urgency and concern about the person's health.

extremely sick

A more straightforward and common way to express severe illness.

heavily ill

Similar to "badly ill" but not as commonly used.

sorely ill

Implies a painful or distressing illness.

FAQs

What does "badly ill" mean?

The phrase "badly ill" describes a state of being seriously or severely sick. It indicates that someone's health is significantly compromised.

What can I say instead of "badly ill"?

You can use alternatives like "seriously ill", "gravely ill", or "critically ill", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "badly ill" a formal or informal expression?

The phrase "badly ill" leans towards a neutral register. While acceptable in most contexts, more formal alternatives like "seriously ill" might be preferred in academic or professional writing.

How do I use "badly ill" in a sentence?

You can use "badly ill" to describe someone's condition, such as: "She has been "terribly ill" with the flu for a week." or "The patient is "severely ill" and requires intensive care."