dangerously ill

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dangerously ill" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is in a critical or life-threatening medical condition. Example: "After the accident, he was found to be dangerously ill and required immediate medical attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Pierce was dangerously ill and although Mimi was recovering from an illness she was not given much attention.

The New Yorker

NHS hospitals treat everyone – including the dangerously ill, accident victims, the old and frail, people with multiple illnesses – on steadily shrinking budgets.

The Guardian - Opinion

Dangerously ill.

The Guardian

During the assignment, Crane became dangerously ill.

The New Yorker

They also come back dangerously ill in many cases.

The Economist

While that is typical, some patients become dangerously ill.

The Washington Post

When he was 14 my eldest son became dangerously ill.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I am distraught," Andrew declared as Natasha fell dangerously ill.

The Guardian - Books

When Cathryn Kemp was dangerously ill, she was given powerful painkillers.

Independent

All choked up: did Britain's dirty air make me dangerously ill?

The Guardian

A month later, he was described in his medical record as "still dangerously ill".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a medical situation, use "dangerously ill" to convey the urgency and severity of the patient's condition. This phrase effectively communicates the need for immediate medical attention.

Common error

Avoid using "dangerously ill" to describe minor ailments. This phrase is reserved for life-threatening conditions and using it otherwise can diminish its impact and create unnecessary alarm.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dangerously ill" functions primarily as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun (typically a person or patient) to describe their state of health. It indicates a condition where the individual's health is severely compromised and poses an immediate threat. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

3%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dangerously ill" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe someone in a critical or life-threatening medical state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources. While alternatives like "critically ill" or "severely ill" exist, "dangerously ill" effectively conveys the urgency and severity of the situation. Remember to reserve this phrase for genuinely critical situations to maintain its impact. This phrase is most frequently found in news and media, with scientific and encyclopedia resources providing further context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

life-threateningly ill

Directly indicates that the illness poses a threat to the patient's life.

critically unwell

Emphasizes the critical nature of the illness, suggesting immediate danger.

in critical condition

Describes the patient's state as unstable and requiring immediate attention.

gravely sick

Highlights the seriousness and potential life-threatening aspect of the illness.

severely ailing

Focuses on the intensity of the illness and its negative impact on health.

acutely unwell

Indicates a sudden and severe onset of illness.

alarmingly sick

Stresses the worrying and concerning nature of the illness.

perilously sick

Highlights the dangerous and risky condition caused by the illness.

in a precarious state of health

Highlights the unstable and risky nature of the patient's health.

on the brink of death

Emphasizes the extreme severity of the illness, suggesting imminent mortality.

FAQs

How to use "dangerously ill" in a sentence?

You can use "dangerously ill" to describe someone whose condition poses an immediate threat to their life. For example, "After the accident, the driver was found to be "dangerously ill" and needed immediate surgery."

What can I say instead of "dangerously ill"?

You can use alternatives like "critically ill", "severely ill", or "life-threateningly ill" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "dangerously ill" or "dangerously sick"?

"Dangerously ill" is generally preferred in formal and medical contexts, while "dangerously sick" is more informal but still understandable. Both convey a similar meaning.

What's the difference between "dangerously ill" and "seriously ill"?

"Dangerously ill" suggests a more immediate and critical threat to life than "seriously ill". The former implies the patient is in imminent danger, while the latter suggests a severe but not necessarily immediately life-threatening condition.