contracted a cold

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence 'contracted a cold' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe when someone has begun to show symptoms of a cold. For example: I contracted a cold last week and I've been feeling under the weather ever since.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

He contracted a cold that later developed into pneumonia, and, after one month's service, he became the first president to die in office.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She then contracted a cold and dropped out after only 600m of the world cross country championships in Ostend and has since concentrated on road running.

The Guardian - Sport

Holloman said her daughter has contracted a cold and the flu and an ear infection.

Huffington Post

At first, she appears to have contracted a cold during her trip.

Wikipedia

In July 1861, Brandon contracted a cold, prompting him to take a leave from active service until the end of August.

Wikipedia

You may have contracted a cold or flu if you shook hands with, ate or drank after, or had direct physical contact with a sick person and then touched your eyes, nose, or mouth.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Some regularly take supplements to reduce their risk of contracting a cold.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

At times, the film passes from the weepy to the faintly ridiculous – when Babe is nursed back to health after contracting a cold, Farmer Hoggett does a full-on dance to the rousing theme song, If I Had Words.

The Guardian - Film

So does it make a difference to your chances of contracting a cold?

BBC

Every couple of years a new study is published showing that echinacea either does or doesn't reduce your risk of contracting a cold.

BBC

The aim of the study was to determine if a bovine lactoferrin/whey protein Ig-rich fraction (Lf/IgF) combination was effective in reducing the number of colds and in turn improving symptom recovery in a cohort of males and females that reported frequently contracting a cold.

Complementary Therapies in Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "contracted a cold", ensure the subject is a person or animal capable of contracting an illness. Avoid using it for inanimate objects or abstract concepts.

Common error

Avoid using "contracted a cold" metaphorically when a simpler verb like 'got' or 'caught' would be more appropriate. Overusing 'contracted' can make your writing sound overly formal or unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contracted a cold" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of acquiring a common illness. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in describing the onset of a cold. It highlights the transition from a state of health to one of illness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "contracted a cold" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the onset of a cold. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate usage in English writing. While slightly more formal than alternatives like "caught a cold", it is widely understood and used across various contexts, particularly in news, encyclopedias, and wiki sources. It's crucial to use this phrase when referring to living beings acquiring a cold, and avoid overuse to maintain natural-sounding language. The phrase is most frequently encountered in news and media, indicating a neutral to slightly formal register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

caught a cold

Focuses on the action of catching the illness.

came down with a cold

Emphasizes the onset of the illness.

developed a cold

Highlights the gradual development of cold symptoms.

picked up a cold

Indicates acquiring the cold from an external source.

acquired a cold

Formal way of saying someone got a cold.

taken ill with a cold

More formal and emphasizes the state of being ill.

became sick with a cold

Highlights the state of sickness due to a cold.

succumbed to a cold

Emphasizes a lack of resistance to the cold.

was infected with a cold virus

Specifies the viral nature of the infection.

fell ill with a cold

Similar to 'became sick' but slightly more formal.

FAQs

What does "contracted a cold" mean?

The phrase "contracted a cold" means that someone has caught a cold and is now experiencing its symptoms. It indicates the beginning of the illness.

What can I say instead of "contracted a cold"?

You can use alternatives like "caught a cold", "came down with a cold", or "developed a cold" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I contracted a cold virus"?

While grammatically correct, it's more common and natural to say "I caught a cold" or "I have a cold". Specifying "virus" is usually unnecessary unless you're providing medical details.

What is the difference between "contracted a cold" and "caught a cold"?

Both phrases are very similar, but "contracted a cold" sounds slightly more formal or clinical than "caught a cold". The latter is generally more common in everyday conversation.