contract a fever

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contract a fever" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of becoming infected with a fever, often due to an illness or infection. Example: "After spending time in the crowded hospital, I was worried I might contract a fever."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The R658C (TTD) mutation is temperature sensitive in humans, causing patients to lose hair when they contract a fever (Vermeulen et al., 2001).

DMM Disease Models and Mechanisms

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Within a week Wenderaki had contracted a fever.

The New York Times

In 1588 Veronese contracted a fever and died after a few days of illness.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 1800 he went to Madagascar, where he contracted a fever from which he died.

Encyclopedia Britannica

By William Krauss The New Yorker, April 27, 1940 P. 48 Salt Cay, one of the Caicos Islands, had only one volunteer in the World War, a Negro who, upon reaching England contracted a fever and was sent back to Salt Cay where he died.

The New Yorker

The New Yorker, April 27, 1940 P. 48 Salt Cay, one of the Caicos Islands, had only one volunteer in the World War, a Negro who, upon reaching England contracted a fever and was sent back to Salt Cay where he died.

The New Yorker

Salt Cay, one of the Caicos Islands, had only one volunteer in the World War, a Negro who, upon reaching England contracted a fever and was sent back to Salt Cay where he died.

The New Yorker

The one moment in Whitey's life which should make us almost sympathetic is when his son becomes gravely ill after contracting a fever and being put on life support; his tormented wife Lindsey (a brief role for Dakota Johnson) says she is ready to "pull the plug".

The Guardian - Film

However, in doing so Kilner contracted a fever and died shortly after returning to England.

Wikipedia

During an overnight stop in Nephi, Utah, her older brother, her guide and guardian, contracted a fever and sent her on without him, directly into an unexpected blizzard.

Vice

In 1536, Henry's older brother, Francis, caught a chill after a game of tennis, contracted a fever, and died, leaving Henry the heir.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about medical conditions, use "contract a fever" to indicate the process of becoming infected or ill with a fever. It's a clear and widely understood phrase.

Common error

Avoid using verbs like "attract" or "extract" in place of "contract" when referring to catching a fever. "Contract" specifically denotes acquiring an illness or disease.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contract a fever" functions as a verb phrase, where "contract" acts as a transitive verb indicating the action of acquiring or becoming affected by the noun phrase "a fever". As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "contract a fever" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe becoming ill with a fever. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable. Its prevalence across diverse sources, including news media, scientific publications, and encyclopedias, underscores its broad acceptance and applicability. While alternatives like "catch a fever" or "develop a fever" exist, "contract a fever" remains a clear and reliable choice for conveying this specific health-related concept. The phrase's neutral register makes it suitable for various writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

develop a fever

Focuses on the process of a fever emerging or becoming apparent.

catch a fever

Implies acquiring the fever through exposure or contagion.

acquire a fever

A more formal way to express getting a fever.

come down with a fever

Suggests the onset of a fever, often suddenly.

suffer from a fever

Highlights the experience of enduring a fever.

be stricken with a fever

Implies a sudden and severe onset of fever.

succumb to a fever

Suggests a severe fever that overwhelms the person.

get a temperature

More informal and focuses on the elevated body temperature.

fall ill with a fever

Focuses on the illness aspect, with fever as a symptom.

be diagnosed with a fever

Focuses on the medical identification of the fever.

FAQs

What does it mean to "contract a fever"?

To "contract a fever" means to become ill with a fever, often due to an infection or underlying medical condition. It signifies the process of acquiring the fever.

Is it better to say "contract a fever" or "catch a fever"?

"Contract a fever" and "catch a fever" are both commonly used and generally interchangeable. However, "contract" might sound slightly more formal or clinical than "catch".

What are some alternative ways to say "contract a fever"?

Other ways to express "contract a fever" include "develop a fever", "acquire a fever", or "come down with a fever". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it grammatically correct to say "contract a fever"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "contract a fever". The verb "contract" is properly used to describe the acquisition of an illness or disease, including a fever.