called in sick

USAGE SUMMARY

'called in sick' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when someone is unable to attend work, school, or other activities due to illness. For example, "I called in sick today because I have the flu."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I almost called in sick".

The New York Times - Sports

She called in sick.

The New Yorker

I called in sick, and I called in sick again.

The New York Times

She never called in sick.

The New York Times - Sports

Or called in sick from a hangover?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"A lot of people called in sick".

The New York Times

They had both called in sick Tuesday.

The New York Times

(Depressed, he had called in sick).

The New Yorker

She called in sick and took a few days off.

The New Yorker

"I wish I had called in sick," he told me.

The New Yorker

I'd called in sick for the first time in years.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be mindful of the audience. In formal communications, more precise language such as "took medical leave" might be more appropriate than the colloquial "called in sick".

Common error

Avoid using "called in sick" when you are taking a day off for reasons other than illness. Doing so can damage your credibility and lead to negative consequences at work or school.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "called in sick" functions as a verb phrase, specifically acting as a predicate in a sentence. It describes the action of notifying an employer or institution about one's inability to attend due to illness. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Social Media

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "called in sick" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate an absence from work or school due to illness. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While versatile, it's essential to consider the context and audience, as more formal alternatives might be preferable in certain situations. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media sources, highlighting its prevalence in everyday communication. When writing, be sure to use the phrase accurately to maintain clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

phoned in sick

Uses "phoned" instead of "called", implying the method of communication.

took a sick day

Focuses on utilizing a day allocated for sickness.

was off sick

Indicates a period of absence due to illness.

reported sick

Emphasizes the act of reporting one's illness.

claimed illness

Suggests a formal declaration of being unwell.

took sick leave

Refers to a formal leave of absence for medical reasons.

was absent due to illness

Provides a more formal explanation for the absence.

notified of illness

Focuses on the act of informing someone about the sickness.

been excused due to sickness

Emphasizes that absence has been permitted because of the illness.

on medical leave

Indicates a more extended period of absence for medical reasons.

FAQs

How do I use "called in sick" in a sentence?

You can use "called in sick" to indicate that someone has notified their workplace or school that they are unable to attend due to illness. For example, "I /s/called+in+sick today because I have a fever."

What are some alternatives to "called in sick"?

You can use alternatives like "phoned in sick", "took a sick day", or "was off sick" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "called in sick" in a formal email?

While "called in sick" is widely understood, it may be more appropriate to use a more formal phrase like "took medical leave" or "was absent due to illness" in formal communication.

What's the difference between "called in sick" and "took a personal day"?

"Called in sick" implies the absence is due to illness, while "took a personal day" suggests the absence is for personal reasons, which may or may not include illness.