bout of sickness

USAGE SUMMARY

"bout of sickness" is not a correct phrase to use in written English.
You can use the phrase "bout of illness" instead. For example, "He had a bad bout of illness that left him bed-ridden for days."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

One big punch, stray elbow, unlucky injury or a sudden bout of sickness could derail my chances.

The Guardian - Sport

Asif was not in court to hear his own police interview, having arrived late after suffering a bout of sickness overnight.

The Guardian - Sport

Unless contaminated chicken is properly refrigerated, stored separately from other foods and cooked thoroughly, it can cause a bout of sickness lasting days.

Independent

I have to tell you something!" Her chance was a bout of sickness serious enough to keep Nora and Danny at an after-school program until dinnertime for several weeks.

The New Yorker

Federal health inspectors boarded the cruise ship Carnival Fascination today to investigate the latest bout of sickness aboard cruise ships, which sickened more than 200 people during a weekend cruise from Miami.

The New York Times

Pierce's last match on grass was at Wimbledon two years ago and she blamed her lack of experience of the conditions and a bout of sickness for her exit on the opening day.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Mohammed Gul rarely eats, and suffers continued bouts of sickness.

The New York Times

Kapaun took ill himself, recovering from bouts of sickness before getting weak again.

The Washington Post

The senior was suffering from bouts of sickness, hitting randomly like lightning strikes.

The Washington Post

Should you survive, you may be stricken by repeated bouts of sickness.

The Economist

When, on the other hand, she felt herself unneeded and unappreciated by her husband, she seems to have sought unconsciously to command his attention through bouts of sickness".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "bout of sickness" appears in some contexts, consider using the more standard phrase "bout of illness" for improved clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "sickness" to describe a general state of being unwell. Instead, reserve "sickness" for instances where the specific cause or nature of the ailment is less important than the experience of being ill. Opt for "illness" to broadly refer to a disease or period of poor health.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bout of sickness" functions as a noun phrase describing a short period of illness. While Ludwig AI suggests that "bout of illness" is the more correct phrase, "bout of sickness" is still used, although less frequently.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bout of sickness" refers to a short period of being unwell. However, Ludwig AI points out that "bout of illness" is generally considered more grammatically correct and preferred in formal contexts. Although the phrase is used across various sources, including news and media, using "bout of illness" ensures clarity and adherence to standard English. When writing, consider the specific context and audience to determine the most appropriate phrasing. While "bout of sickness" isn't strictly wrong, opting for "bout of illness" enhances the precision and professionalism of your communication. Remember, a clear and accurate expression is always a good writing habit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

episode of illness

Replaces "bout" with "episode", focusing on the occurrence of the illness.

attack of sickness

Uses "attack" to emphasize a sudden and forceful onset of illness.

spell of illness

Emphasizes the duration of the illness, implying a temporary state.

period of illness

Highlights a specific timeframe during which the illness is present.

bout of ill health

Substitutes "sickness" with the broader term "ill health", encompassing a range of health issues.

fit of sickness

Similar to 'attack', suggesting a sudden, intense experience of sickness.

a wave of sickness

Suggests an overwhelming feeling of sickness that comes and goes.

a touch of sickness

Implies a mild and temporary experience of sickness.

a case of sickness

Refers to a specific instance or occurrence of sickness.

a bout of nausea

Focuses on a specific symptom (nausea) as the primary manifestation of sickness.

FAQs

Is it more correct to say "bout of sickness" or "bout of illness"?

While both phrases are used, "bout of illness" is generally considered more grammatically correct and is the preferred choice in formal writing.

What does "bout of" mean in the context of health?

In the context of health, "bout of" refers to a short period of experiencing something, usually something unpleasant like an illness. It implies a temporary episode or attack.

What are some alternative ways to describe a short period of being unwell?

You can use phrases like "episode of illness", "spell of illness", or "attack of sickness depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the word "sickness"?

"Sickness" is generally used to describe the state of being ill or the feeling of being unwell. However, "illness" is more commonly used to refer to a specific disease or condition. Consider the context to determine the most appropriate word.