case of cold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "case of cold" is not standard in written English and may be confusing.
It could be used in contexts discussing an instance of having a cold or a situation involving cold weather, but it is not commonly used. Example: "After spending the day outside in the rain, I ended up with a case of cold."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Sometimes, as in the case of cold fusion, the newly added clay just doesn't stick.

The Economist

The slow start, many reckon, is attributable to a severe case of cold feet.

The Economist

A base case of cold production (without sand) was also done for comparison purposes.

Fuel

The plot was also riven by personality clashes and, it seems, by at least one case of cold feet.

The New York Times

The results obtained show that the main restrictions are imposed by lubricity and cetane number, and, in case of cold regions, also by cold flow properties.

Fuel Processing Technology

The results show that the energetic consumption is inversely proportional to the compactness (weak shape coefficient) in case of cold severe and scarcely sunny winters.

Building and Environment

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

For those who do not have design in their blood it's a case of cold-calling and shadowing.

The Guardian - Money

They felt Mr Walker should have waited for a more thorough investigation before publicly saying this was a case of cold-blooded killing by Serbs.In Belgrade, comparisons with Iraq have been much in vogue this week.

The Economist

In case of cold-crystallization, the final semicrystalline structure depends on the heating rate; slow heating first leads to formation of mesophase nodules which then reorganize to crystals at elevated temperature, while fast heating suppresses the formation of mesophase and allows direct transformation of supercooled liquid to lamellae.

Polymer

In the case of cold-chamber machine there is a machine with a horizontal chamber with due to the shorter path from the chamber liquid alloy into the mold cavity pressure.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

The helicase activity of RecBCD is all the more crucial in the case of cold-adapted P. syringae, due to the low temperature induced higher stability of duplex DNA structures that would require additional higher processivity and stronger helicase activity of the enzyme.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If referring to cold weather conditions, specify the context, such as "a period of cold weather" or "a cold snap", to provide more specific details.

Common error

Avoid using "case of cold" when referring to situations involving cold weather without specifying the context. Always provide additional details to avoid ambiguity and ensure that the reader understands the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "case of cold" functions as a noun phrase that can denote an instance of illness or a situation involving cold temperatures. However, Ludwig AI suggests the phrase is not standard and can be ambiguous, recommending more precise language for clarity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "case of cold" is used to describe either an instance of being ill with a cold or a situation involving cold temperatures. Ludwig AI identifies it as a non-standard phrase, suggesting that more precise language may be preferable for clarity. While commonly found in both News & Media and Scientific contexts, the phrase's ambiguity can lead to misunderstanding. Consider using alternatives such as "experiencing cold-related symptoms" or "cold spell" depending on the intended meaning, in order to prevent potential misinterpretations and enhance the quality of writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

episode of having a cold

Elaborates on the phrase to clarify the meaning and adds "having" for grammatical correctness.

instance of cold weather

Focuses on the weather aspect of "cold", replacing "case" with "instance" for a more formal tone.

bout of the sniffles

Replaces "cold" with a more colloquial term for a minor illness and "case" with a synonym, reducing formality.

situation involving cold temperatures

Shifts the focus to temperature and replaces "case" with "situation", creating a more general expression.

a cold spell

Uses a specific term to describe a period of cold weather, making it more concise.

attack of the chills

Implies a sudden feeling of coldness, often associated with illness.

experiencing cold-related symptoms

Generalizes the phrase to include any symptoms related to cold exposure or illness.

developing a cold

Focuses on the onset of a common illness, rather than an instance or situation.

suffering from a cold

Emphasizes the negative impact of having a cold, using "suffering" for added emphasis.

contracting a cold

Emphasizes the act of catching a cold, often used in medical or formal contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "case of cold" in a sentence?

You can use "case of cold" to describe a bout of illness, as in "After being caught in the rain, I developed a "case of cold"". You can also use it to generally describe cold weather conditions.

What are some alternatives to "case of cold" when referring to illness?

If you mean a common illness, you could say "bout of the sniffles" or "upper respiratory infection". If you're referring to cold weather, "cold spell" might be appropriate.

Is "case of cold" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "case of cold" is not a standard phrase. It's better to use more specific terms depending on whether you're discussing an illness or weather conditions. Consider phrases like "experiencing cold-related symptoms" for illness or "period of cold weather".

What's the difference between "case of cold" and "having a cold"?

"Case of cold" implies a specific instance or situation related to either an illness or cold weather, whereas "having a cold" simply means that someone is currently experiencing the symptoms of a cold. For example, "I have a cold" means you're sick now, while "a "case of cold"" suggests a specific instance or duration.