contract cancer

USAGE SUMMARY

"contract cancer" is not correct and usable in written English.
It is not an idiomatic expression. Instead, you can use the phrase "develop cancer" when referring to someone who has been diagnosed with the illness. For example, "Mary developed cancer last year and is now undergoing treatment."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

The victim might contract cancer, but it would take years.

The New York Times

Around 40% of people in the UK will contract cancer in their lifetime.

The Guardian

No one elects to contract cancer or tuberculosis in the way that someone chooses to buy and use a gun.

The Guardian

At the end of the trial, it was found that women on the low-fat diet were no less likely than the control group to contract cancer or heart disease.

The Guardian

"Cancer has become the price of modern life," an epidemiologist recently wrote: in the U.S., about half of all men and about a third of women will contract cancer in their lifetime; cancer now ranks just below heart disease as a cause of death in the U.S.

The New Yorker

Those who contract cancer rarely have access to any treatment because of its astronomical costs.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

"They will still contract cancers earlier in life.

Independent

"They [homosexuals] will still contract cancers earlier in life," the leaflet read.

The Guardian - Opinion

A growing number of former peacekeepers from Europe and Canada have contracted cancer or cancerlike diseases.

The New York Times

In 1991, after 30 years of cigar-smoking, he contracted cancer of the tongue.

The Guardian - Books

MY mother contracted cancer in the early 1960s when I was a teenager.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid direct translations or literal interpretations from other languages where "contract cancer" might be more common; ensure idiomatic correctness in English.

Common error

The verb "contract" usually implies entering into an agreement or acquiring something non-physical. Using it with a disease like cancer can sound odd or unnatural. Instead, use verbs like "develop", "get", or "be diagnosed with" for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contract cancer" functions as a verb + noun construction, where "contract" acts as a transitive verb attempting to describe the acquisition of the noun "cancer". However, this usage is not idiomatic. As pointed out by Ludwig AI, alternative expressions should be considered.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "contract cancer" is used to express the idea of someone being diagnosed with the disease. However, Ludwig AI highlights that it's not considered idiomatic or grammatically correct in standard English. While some examples can be found, alternative phrases such as "develop cancer" or "be diagnosed with cancer" are much more common and preferred for clarity and accuracy. Using these alternatives avoids any potential misinterpretations and ensures effective communication, particularly in formal settings. Although it appears in news and media sources, its infrequency makes it a less desirable choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

develop cancer

This alternative is more idiomatic and grammatically correct than "contract cancer".

be diagnosed with cancer

This alternative provides a more precise and clinical description of receiving a cancer diagnosis.

get cancer

This alternative is a more informal way of saying someone has been diagnosed with cancer.

acquire cancer

This alternative is a less common but grammatically acceptable substitute.

come down with cancer

This alternative is an informal expression that suggests the onset of cancer.

suffer from cancer

This alternative emphasizes the experience of living with cancer rather than the initial diagnosis.

fall ill with cancer

This alternative focuses on the illness aspect of the cancer diagnosis.

become a cancer patient

This alternative shifts the focus to the individual's status as someone undergoing cancer treatment.

be afflicted with cancer

This alternative suggests a more severe or unfortunate experience with cancer.

succumb to cancer

This alternative describes the final stage of cancer when it leads to death.

FAQs

What's a more appropriate way to say someone "contracted cancer"?

Instead of "contracted cancer", use phrases such as "developed cancer", "was diagnosed with cancer", or "got cancer". These are more commonly accepted and idiomatic.

Is it grammatically correct to say "contract cancer"?

While you might find examples of "contract cancer", it's not considered the most grammatically sound or idiomatic choice. It's better to opt for alternatives like "develop cancer" or "be diagnosed with cancer".

When is it acceptable to use the phrase "contract cancer"?

Although not strictly incorrect, "contract cancer" is less common and may sound unusual to native English speakers. It is preferable to use other options for clarity and acceptance. The phrase "develop cancer" is usually a better option.

What does "contract cancer" imply?

Using "contract cancer" may suggest acquiring cancer in a similar way to signing a contract, which is not the intended meaning. Better alternatives are available to accurately convey the idea of someone being diagnosed with cancer, like saying someone "was diagnosed with cancer".