even sicker than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "even sicker than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the severity of sickness or illness, often in a hyperbolic or exaggerated manner. Example: "After hearing the news, I felt even sicker than I did yesterday when I caught the flu."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

It's even sicker than that.

The New York Times - Magazine

Cuts risk making the staff even sicker than the patients.

The Guardian

The medicines made me feel even sicker than I already was and I would dread seeing the medicine trolly coming down the hospital aisle.

The Guardian

My first panic-filled thought was that the worse had happened … I felt even sicker than when I had been hunched kneeling in front of the toilet bowl an hour before and almost didn't open the mails.

The Guardian - Music

In fact, the majority of medicines and other forms of treatment intended to cure the patient end up making the patient even sicker than before.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

On the other hand, if borrowers now in difficulty manage to draw up restructuring plans involving large debt waivers from banks, their loans could be upgraded and the banks' bad-loan provisions reduced.So if the FSA is strict on the classification of loans, the banks could look even sicker in a few months' time than they already do—unless they raise more capital now.

The Economist

Perhaps he has gotten even sicker.

The New York Times - Health

I got immediately loud, then sick, then sicker, then even sicker, and all in Hunter and Anita's sanctum.

The Guardian - Books

Don't make that un-friendship even sicker!

WikiHow

Give it to your doctor.' " Dr. Pryce turns down requests that he thinks are unwarranted, but patients argue and sometimes even act sicker than they really are.

The New York Times - Health

I hadn't known Nigger was even sick.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing states of illness, ensure that the context clearly defines the basis for comparison. For example, specify what the person was previously sick with to highlight the change.

Common error

Avoid using "even sicker than" when describing a completely different illness. The phrase implies a worsening of an existing condition, not the onset of something new.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "even sicker than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to describe a state of being unwell (sick) in comparison to a previous state, indicating a worsening of health. Ludwig examples confirm its usage in various contexts to express this comparative degree of illness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "even sicker than" is a grammatically sound and usable comparative phrase that highlights a worsening condition. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides various examples across News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources. While not extremely frequent, it effectively conveys a notable decline in health or state. When using the expression, ensure that the context clearly establishes the basis for comparison to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sicker now than before

Highlights the evolution of sickness.

more ill than

Focuses on general illness rather than a specific comparison to a previous state.

in graver condition than

Denotes a serious state of health, often used in clinical or urgent contexts.

in poorer health than

Specifically addresses health status, offering a formal alternative.

more unhealthy than

Broadly describes a lack of health, applicable in various contexts beyond just sickness.

worse off than

Indicates a decline in overall condition, not necessarily related to sickness.

more diseased than

Directly refers to the presence of disease, emphasizing a pathological state.

ailing even more than

Emphasizes a prolonged or weakening state of health, similar to chronic illness.

suffering worse than

Highlights the experience of enduring hardship, which could stem from illness or other causes.

declining faster than

Focuses on the rate of deterioration, applicable to health or other areas.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "even sicker than" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "in graver condition than" or "more ill compared to". These options provide a professional alternative to "even sicker than" while maintaining clarity.

Is it correct to say "even more sick than" instead of "even sicker than"?

While grammatically acceptable, "even more sick than" is less common and sounds less natural than "even sicker than". The latter is generally preferred in most contexts.

What does "even sicker than" imply about the context?

The phrase "even sicker than" suggests a comparative worsening of an existing condition. It implies that the subject was already unwell and has experienced a decline in health.

Can "even sicker than" be used figuratively?

Yes, "even sicker than" can be used figuratively to describe situations or systems, not just individuals. For instance, you might say "the economy looks even sicker than it did last quarter" to describe its declining state.