became ill with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "became ill with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the onset of an illness or condition that someone has developed. Example: "After returning from vacation, she became ill with a severe cold that lasted for weeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Notably, some became ill with diarrheal illness while others remained asymptomatic.

Duke University

Ashok became ill with meningitis-the same illness that had blinded the writer.

The New Yorker

In May, I became ill with stress.

The Guardian

Then he became ill with skin cancer.

The New York Times

A crew member became ill, with severe abdominal pains.

The New York Times - Magazine

Late in her life Burnett became ill with stomach cancer.

The New York Times - Books

In China alone, 1.3 million people became ill with TB in 2007.

The Washington Post

Eventually, Uncle became ill with fever, and Nargis moved him into her house.

The New Yorker

Natacha became ill with a fever and was put into isolation in a converted shed.

Independent

Klee then became ill with scleroderma, a fatally debilitating autoimmune disease.

The Economist

This spring, Ali Long of Mill Valley and her two sons became ill with whooping cough.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "became ill with", ensure the illness is clearly specified to provide context and clarity. For example, "became ill with pneumonia" is more informative than simply "became ill".

Common error

Don't use "became ill with" without specifying the ailment. Saying someone "became ill with something" is too vague. Always provide a specific illness or condition for better understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "became ill with" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of an illness or disease. It connects a subject to the specific ailment they have contracted, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

34%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Wiki

13%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "became ill with" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe the onset of an illness. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It commonly appears in news articles, scientific publications, and academic texts, highlighting its versatility across different registers. While primarily neutral in tone, it can adapt to both formal and informal contexts. When using "became ill with", remember to specify the illness for clarity. Alternatives like "contracted an illness" or "fell ill with" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fell ill with

Emphasizes the suddenness or unexpected nature of becoming sick.

contracted an illness

Focuses on the act of acquiring the illness, implying a source or cause.

developed an illness

Highlights the process of the illness gradually emerging.

suffered from

Focuses on the experience of enduring the negative effects of the illness.

acquired an infection

Specifies that the illness is caused by an infectious agent.

was diagnosed with

Highlights the medical confirmation of a specific illness.

came down with

Informal way of saying someone became sick, often with a common ailment.

succumbed to an illness

Suggests a more serious or life-threatening condition.

took sick with

Emphasizes the act of becoming sick.

was afflicted with

Highlights the suffering and negative impact of the illness.

FAQs

How can I use "became ill with" in a sentence?

You can use "became ill with" to describe the onset of an illness. For example, "She became ill with the flu after the trip".

What are some alternatives to "became ill with"?

Some alternatives include "contracted an illness", "fell ill with", or "developed an illness", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "became sick with" instead of "became ill with"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "became ill with" sounds more formal than "became sick with". The choice depends on the context and your desired tone.

What's the difference between "became ill with" and "suffered from"?

"Became ill with" describes the onset of an illness, while "suffered from" describes the experience of enduring the negative effects of the illness over a period of time.