became unwell

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "became unwell" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone has fallen ill or is experiencing health issues. Example: "After the long trip, she suddenly became unwell and had to rest for a few days."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr Atkinson became unwell and an ambulance was called.

The Guardian

Their plans changed after she was charged and she became unwell, the court heard.

Independent

He had been travelling from Benin City in Nigeria, via Paris, and became unwell on Monday.

Independent

He became unwell a few years ago and moved into residential care.

The Guardian

I became unwell with depression because of homophobia and racism in the police.

The Guardian - Opinion

When she became unwell, my issues with food just got worse.

The Guardian

IN later years, my mother, who was born during the Great Depression, became unwell.

The New York Times

The social worker said that you became unwell because you were too anxious.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It remains unclear precisely when and how Fisher became unwell on her flight to LA.

The Guardian

On Saturday 6th August, Charlie became unwell and was admitted to hospital in Rio de Janeiro.

The Guardian

G4S used similar wording, saying Mubenga "became unwell", forcing the plane to return to Heathrow.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "became unwell" to describe a situation where someone's health deteriorated, especially when you want to avoid more direct terms like "got sick" or "fell ill".

Common error

While "became unwell" is grammatically correct, it might sound overly formal in casual conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "felt sick" or "wasn't feeling well" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "became unwell" functions as a predicate in a sentence, describing a state of declining health. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used. Examples in Ludwig show it describing various scenarios from sudden illness to gradual decline.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "became unwell" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe a decline in health. As Ludwig AI states, its usability is confirmed by numerous examples found in reputable sources. While versatile, "became unwell" leans towards a neutral to formal register, making it suitable for news reports, formal discussions, and professional contexts. Alternative phrases like "fell ill" or "got sick" may be more appropriate for informal settings. Remember to consider your audience and the context when choosing the most suitable way to express that someone's health has deteriorated.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fell ill

A more direct and common synonym, implying a sudden onset of illness.

took ill

A slightly more formal alternative to "fell ill".

was taken ill

Passive voice construction, similar in meaning to "took ill".

got sick

An informal alternative, generally indicating a temporary or minor illness.

suffered ill health

Implies a more prolonged or chronic state of being unwell.

contracted an illness

Indicates catching a specific disease or infection.

experienced a health decline

A more clinical or formal way to describe a deterioration in health.

developed a health problem

Indicates the emergence of a specific health issue.

succumbed to illness

Suggests a more serious and potentially life-threatening illness.

became indisposed

A more formal and somewhat euphemistic way of saying someone is unwell.

FAQs

What does "became unwell" mean?

The phrase "became unwell" means that someone's health deteriorated or they started experiencing symptoms of an illness.

What can I say instead of "became unwell"?

You can use alternatives like "fell ill", "got sick", or "took ill" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "became unwell"?

Yes, "became unwell" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe someone falling ill.

When should I use "became unwell" instead of "got sick"?

Use "became unwell" in more formal or professional contexts where you want to avoid overly casual language. "Got sick" is more appropriate for informal conversations.