became indisposed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "became indisposed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who has become unwell or unable to perform their usual activities, often in a formal or polite context. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, the speaker became indisposed and could not attend the event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

After several of these, he became indisposed and died in agony.

The New Yorker

This may sound familiar - rather like what we used to hear from the Kremlin before the collapse of the Soviet Union, or what we have been hearing recently from Cuba since Fidel Castro became indisposed.

The Guardian

After Ben Heppner bowed out of Wagner's "Tristan und Isolde" at the Metropolitan Opera this week because of what the company said was a viral infection, the curtain suddenly fell in the middle of Friday night's performance when Deborah Voigt became indisposed.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Adapted by Peter Sham (book and lyrics) and Brad Carroll (music), "Tenor" follows the gnarled complications of a local opera company's production of Verdi's "Otello," for which they have imported a big Italian star, who becomes indisposed when -- oh, never mind.

The New York Times

The report stated that the firm has identified three outstanding internal candidates who could replace Mr Buffett as CEO if he becomes permanently indisposed.Mr Buffett is a modest, laid-back and fabulously wealthy guy.

The Economist

If credit, in the words of the writer James Grant, is money of the mind, people have become psychologically indisposed to minting it.

The New York Times - Magazine

Mr. Hansen found a man named Kenneth who would not let Mr. Hansen in because he was indisposed — he became "Pantsless Kenneth" in the column — but said that he knew the photo in question and thought his neighbor had taken it.

The New York Times

So, with the champions and FA Cup-winners indisposed, who would get the honour of playing in the Charity Shield?

The Guardian - Sport

What good are jobs, EPA officials can ask, if the climate becomes so inhospitable that people are too ill or otherwise indisposed to report for work.

Huffington Post

Called to substitute for an indisposed baritone in Brahms's "German Requiem," he became famous practically overnight.

The New York Times - Arts

He was immediately drafted into the rehearsal band for what become known as The Birth of the Cool, while the regular trombonist Kai Winding was indisposed.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "became indisposed" in formal contexts where a polite or euphemistic way of saying someone is ill or unavailable is preferred. It's suitable for professional announcements or when discussing someone's absence without being overly specific.

Common error

Avoid using "became indisposed" in informal conversations or casual writing. It can sound stilted or unnatural. Opt for simpler alternatives like "fell ill" or "got sick" in everyday contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "became indisposed" functions as a euphemistic verb phrase, indicating a state of illness or unavailability. As Ludwig indicates, it is used to politely or formally describe someone being unwell. Examples show its use in news reports and formal announcements.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "became indisposed" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe someone becoming unwell or unavailable, predominantly found in formal contexts such as news reports, as verified by Ludwig. While grammatically sound, it's less common in everyday speech, where simpler alternatives are preferred. The phrase serves to inform about someone's absence due to health reasons while maintaining a level of formality. When in doubt, consider the setting: formal scenarios benefit from its use, while informal ones are better suited to more straightforward language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fell ill

A more straightforward and common way to say someone became sick.

took ill

Similar to 'fell ill' but slightly more formal.

became unwell

A more general term indicating a decline in health.

was taken ill

Passive voice version of 'took ill', emphasizing the sudden onset of illness.

became sick

A simple and direct synonym for becoming ill.

was laid up

Suggests being confined due to illness.

was incapacitated

Implies a more significant loss of ability due to illness or injury.

succumbed to illness

Suggests a yielding to sickness, often after a struggle.

developed a malady

A more formal and less common way to say someone became ill.

was out of action

More general and can refer to unavailability for any reason, not just illness.

FAQs

What does "became indisposed" mean?

The phrase "became indisposed" means that someone has become temporarily unavailable, often due to illness or another condition that prevents them from fulfilling their usual duties or activities. It's a polite way of saying someone is unwell.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "became indisposed"?

It's appropriate to use "became indisposed" in formal announcements, professional settings, or when you want to politely indicate that someone is unavailable without specifying the exact reason. Using terms like "fell ill" or "took ill" might also be useful in a more neutral context.

What are some alternatives to saying "became indisposed"?

Alternatives include "fell ill", "became unwell", "was taken ill", or simply "was sick", depending on the context and level of formality required.

Is "became indisposed" a formal or informal expression?

"Became indisposed" is generally considered a formal expression. In less formal contexts, simpler phrases like "got sick" or "was unwell" are more appropriate.