contract a disease

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contract a disease" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to refer to becoming infected with a contagious illness, and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. For example: "If not properly vaccinated, you could contract a disease like measles or mumps."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Why do some individuals contract a disease – cancer, diabetes, Parkinson's – and others not?

MIT Technology Review

Also, transgenic mice with human genes for a-beta protein contract a disease like Alzheimer's but without the plaque.

The New York Times - Health

Some feared that if they used them they could contract a disease that ate their flesh and bones".

The Guardian

(It won't work — and why try to contract a disease? You wouldn't try to get the measles).

Harvard Business Review

This should also be instructive to some scientists and others interested in individual risk assessment who believe that with enough information, it will be possible to predict accurately who will contract a disease and who will not".

The New York Times - Health

If those crowds contain people who have not been vaccinated, they can potentially contract a disease and bring it back to a community full of other people who may be susceptible.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

While still a young man, he contracted a disease in Egypt from which he later died in England.

The Guardian - Books

Prosecutors said they had no evidence that anyone has contracted a disease from tissue harvested by Biomedical.

The New York Times

Researchers hope the findings will help doctors better diagnose travelers' illnesses if they know the probability of contracting a disease in a given country.

The New York Times

The catalogue for the auction of Kiefer's remaining collection claimed that he had contracted a disease "owing to the irritating dust arising from the freshly opened graves".

The New Yorker

One million people have contracted a disease that we've understood how to treat and contain since John Snow sat by a water pump in 1854.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about public health or medical research, use "contract a disease" to clearly indicate the incidence of infection or illness within a population. This phrase is widely understood and accepted in both scientific and general contexts.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "contract a disease" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for more natural alternatives like "get sick" or "catch something" when speaking informally.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contract a disease" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of acquiring an illness or infection. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

36%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "contract a disease" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes the act of becoming ill with a specific ailment. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. While appropriate for scientific, medical, and news-related contexts, alternative expressions might be preferable in informal settings. The phrase appears most commonly in News & Media and Science sources. Remember to consider your audience and the context when choosing whether to use "contract a disease" or a more casual alternative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become infected with a disease

Focuses on the infectious aspect of acquiring the illness.

develop a disease

Highlights the progression of the illness within the individual.

acquire a disease

Emphasizes the act of getting the disease, similar to "contract".

fall ill with a disease

Focuses on the state of being sick due to the disease.

suffer from a disease

Highlights the experience of enduring the illness.

be diagnosed with a disease

Focuses on the medical recognition of the disease.

come down with a disease

An informal way to express becoming ill.

catch a disease

Similar to "contract", but implies transmission.

become a victim of a disease

Highlights the vulnerability and negative impact of the illness.

succumb to a disease

Emphasizes the severe or fatal outcome of the disease.

FAQs

What does it mean to "contract a disease"?

To "contract a disease" means to become infected with or develop a specific illness. It implies the acquisition of a disease, often through transmission or other means.

Is "contract a disease" a formal expression?

While /s/contract+a+disease is grammatically correct and widely used, it can sound slightly formal. In informal contexts, simpler phrases like "get sick" or "catch a disease" might be more appropriate.

What are some synonyms for "contract a disease"?

Synonyms include "become infected with a disease", "develop a disease", or "acquire a disease". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

How can I use "contract a disease" in a sentence?

Example: "Without proper vaccinations, children are at a higher risk of contracting a disease such as measles." Another example: "Researchers are studying factors that influence who will contract a disease and who will not."