extremely sick

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "extremely sick" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is very ill or unwell, or in a colloquial sense to express strong enthusiasm or admiration for something. Example: "After catching the flu, I felt extremely sick for several days."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

With the mobile phone network still out of action, it was with extreme difficulty that my sister let me know that she was extremely sick.

BBC

I became extremely sick, which is my signature move.

The Guardian - Opinion

FARRAH FAWCETT -- Well, I was extremely sick on Thursday.

The New York Times

"For a while there Jonah was an extremely sick man," Mayhew said.

Independent

The virus is something a perfectly healthy person could become extremely sick with.

The New York Times

He's written a novel advocating compassionate euthanasia and has an extremely sick elderly mother.

The Guardian - Film

Those participating are extremely sick and expected to die within 30 days.

The New York Times

"You could get a serious infection, get extremely sick or even worse".

The Guardian

If it lands in your bowls and pans, it can contaminate them, very possibly making someone extremely sick.

The New York Times - Food

He still felt extremely sick, and asked another prisoner if he had any medicine to "kill pain".

The New Yorker

Patients who come to the Undiagnosed Disease Program at the National Institutes of Health know they're extremely sick.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "extremely sick" to emphasize the severity of an illness or condition. Consider the context to ensure it appropriately conveys the gravity of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "extremely sick" in overly casual situations where a milder term like "unwell" or "under the weather" would suffice. The phrase's intensity can sound melodramatic if not used judiciously.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extremely sick" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun (usually a person or animal) to indicate a state of severe illness. Ludwig examples show it describing patients, family members, and even animals in dire health conditions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

45%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "extremely sick" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a severe state of illness. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and common occurrence across various contexts, including news, science, and personal narratives. While versatile, the phrase is best suited for situations where the intensity of the illness warrants emphasis. Consider using alternative phrases like "gravely ill" or "seriously unwell" for nuanced expression. When writing, it is crucial to use "extremely sick" when conveying the gravity of a situation, preventing its overuse in casual scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gravely ill

Indicates a serious or critical state of health, emphasizing the severity of the illness.

seriously unwell

Emphasizes the unwell condition with a heightened degree of concern or severity.

critically ill

Suggests a life-threatening medical condition requiring immediate and intensive care.

severely ailing

Highlights a significant and debilitating health decline.

in a critical condition

Describes the person's health status as unstable and immediately life-threatening.

badly afflicted

Highlights the negative impact of a disease or condition on the individual.

stricken with illness

Emphasizes the sudden and forceful impact of the illness on the person.

terribly nauseated

Describes an intense feeling of sickness, particularly in the stomach.

intensely disgusted

Expresses a strong feeling of revulsion or aversion, shifting from physical to emotional sickness.

sick to death of

Expresses extreme boredom or frustration with something, using "sick" metaphorically.

FAQs

What does "extremely sick" mean?

The phrase "extremely sick" means being very ill or unwell. It suggests a severe or critical health condition.

Which phrases are similar to "extremely sick"?

Alternatives include "gravely ill", "seriously unwell", or "critically ill", depending on the degree of severity you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "extremely sick" in formal writing?

Yes, "extremely sick" is appropriate in formal writing when describing a serious medical condition. However, consider the specific audience and context; more technical terms might be preferable in scientific or medical documents.

How can I use "extremely sick" in a sentence?

You can say, "The patient was "extremely sick" and required immediate hospitalization" or "After the outbreak, many people became "extremely sick" with the new virus".