contracted a fever

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contracted a fever" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the onset of a fever, typically in a medical or health-related context. Example: "After returning from the trip, she contracted a fever that lasted for several days."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 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

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

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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

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

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

En route home, McGillivray contracted a violent fever that immobilized him for months.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At Ramsgate in October 1835, Victoria contracted a severe fever, which Conroy initially dismissed as a childish pretence.

Wikipedia

After this meeting he wrote his famous pen-portrait of Bahá'u'lláh: On 9 May 1892, Bahá'u'lláh contracted a slight fever which grew steadily over the following days, abated, and then finally took his life on 29 May 1892.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "contracted a fever", ensure the context clearly indicates the onset of an illness. Consider using more specific terms if the cause of the fever is known (e.g., "contracted malaria" instead of "contracted a fever").

Common error

Avoid using "contracted a fever" in highly formal or scientific writing. Alternatives like "developed a fever" or "presented with a fever" might be more appropriate for those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contracted a fever" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of an illness characterized by a fever. As seen in the Ludwig examples, it describes the act of becoming ill with a fever.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

22%

Wiki

22%

Less common in

Science

11%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "contracted a fever" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe the onset of a fever. While Ludwig indicates it's relatively uncommon, it's found in various reliable sources such as news media, encyclopedias, and scientific articles. Alternative phrases like "developed a fever" or "came down with a fever" may be suitable substitutes depending on the context. When using this phrase, ensure clarity and specificity, especially if the cause of the fever is known. Avoid overuse in overly formal contexts, and favor more precise terms in scientific writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

developed a fever

Focuses on the gradual onset of the fever.

came down with a fever

Emphasizes the sudden onset of the fever.

caught a fever

Implies acquiring the fever from an external source.

was struck by a fever

Highlights the sudden and unexpected nature of the fever.

succumbed to a fever

Suggests a yielding to the illness.

experienced a fever

A more general way of describing the occurrence of a fever.

became feverish

Indicates a state of having a fever.

acquired a fever

Formally indicates obtaining a fever.

was diagnosed with a fever

Emphasizes the medical identification of the fever.

presented with a fever

A clinical term used in medical contexts.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone "contracted a fever"?

Saying someone "contracted a fever" means they became ill and developed a fever, often implying they caught it from an external source or infection.

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

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

Is it correct to say "contracted with a fever"?

No, the correct phrasing is "contracted a fever". The preposition "with" is not needed in this context.

What's the difference between "contracted a fever" and "had a fever"?

"Contracted a fever" emphasizes the onset or acquisition of the fever, while "had a fever" is a more general statement about experiencing a fever, without focusing on how it started.