became ill

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "became ill" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where someone has transitioned from a state of health to a state of sickness. Example: "After a long week of work, she suddenly became ill and had to take a break."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He became ill.

The New York Times - Style

Once he became ill.

The New Yorker

Shortly afterward, people became ill.

The New York Times

Then his sister became ill.

The New Yorker

Then she too became ill.

Independent

She never became ill.

The New York Times

She became ill again.

The New Yorker

The wife suddenly became ill and died.

The New York Times

In November 1059 he became ill.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She became ill, and died at 24.

The New York Times

More friends became ill, then more.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a person's health status, consider the context and choose a synonym of "became ill" that appropriately conveys the severity and nature of the condition. For instance, "contracted a disease" is more specific than "became ill".

Common error

Avoid phrasing such as "it was become ill," as this is grammatically incorrect. Stick to the active voice: "he/she/they became ill."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "became ill" functions as a verb phrase indicating a change in state, specifically the transition from being healthy to being sick. Ludwig examples show its use across various subjects and scenarios.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

29%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "became ill" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the onset of sickness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used in various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. While synonyms like "fell sick" or "took ill" exist, the choice depends on the desired formality and specific nuance. Avoid incorrect passive constructions like "it was become ill", and consider context when choosing synonyms to effectively convey the health condition. Understanding these nuances will help you use "became ill" and its alternatives with greater precision and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became unwell

Replaces "ill" with its synonym "unwell", keeping the structure intact.

fell sick

Simple synonym, replacing "became ill" with a more direct expression of sickness.

got sick

Informal synonym, suitable for casual contexts.

took ill

More formal and somewhat dated synonym.

developed an illness

Emphasizes the gradual onset of the sickness.

contracted a disease

Highlights the acquisition of a specific disease.

succumbed to illness

Implies a yielding or submission to the sickness, often used in more serious contexts.

was stricken with

Suggests a sudden and severe onset of illness.

experienced sickness

More clinical and detached way of expressing illness.

suffered from an ailment

Highlights the experience of suffering due to a minor illness.

FAQs

What are some common synonyms for "became ill"?

Common synonyms for "became ill" include "fell sick", "got sick", and "took ill". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

How to use "became ill" in a sentence?

You can use "became ill" to describe someone transitioning from a state of health to sickness. For example, "After the trip, she became ill with a strange virus."

What is the difference between "became ill" and "fell ill"?

While both phrases mean essentially the same thing, "fell ill" might suggest a more sudden or unexpected onset of illness compared to "became ill".

Is it correct to say "became illness" instead of "became ill"?

No, "became illness" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "became ill", where "ill" is an adjective describing the state of being.