fall sick

USAGE SUMMARY

"fall sick" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It usually means "to become ill" or "to become sick". Example: My grandmother recently fell sick with the flu.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Why did some people fall sick, when others did not?

The Economist

Some people will prosper, others will fall sick.

The New Yorker

And when today's smokers fall sick, where will the money come from?

The Economist

Since farmed shrimps live in their own waste, they often fall sick.

The Economist

"In terms of the number of people who fall sick, dengue and malaria are very similar.

The Guardian

A lot of people fall sick because the toilets get filled quickly.

The Guardian

The hospitals are packed every winter, as thousands of children fall sick.

The Guardian

"When we fall sick we have no way to extend our lives".

The New York Times

"I don't think you should have to go broke just because you fall sick".

The Guardian

Why did so many people fall sick so quickly in Turkey?

The New York Times

They are usually given to healthy people who, if they later fall sick, may blame the jab.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fall sick" to describe the onset of an illness, especially when the process is gradual or not sudden. For example, "After the trip, many travelers began to fall sick due to the contaminated water supply."

Common error

Avoid using "fall sick" when a more specific term is appropriate. Instead of saying "He fell sick", specify the ailment, such as "He contracted pneumonia" or "She developed a fever".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fall sick" functions as an intransitive verb phrase, indicating the action of becoming ill. It is used to describe the process of someone developing a sickness, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fall sick" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression meaning to become ill. Ludwig confirms its validity and provides numerous real-world examples demonstrating its use across varied contexts. While slightly more formal than "get sick", it maintains a neutral register, fitting comfortably within news reports, business communications, and scientific literature. Ludwig's examples show how it's generally used to describe the onset of illness, and users should ensure they use more specific language to describe the ailment if possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become ill

This alternative is a more formal and general way of saying someone is not healthy.

become unwell

This phrase is similar to 'become ill' but can sometimes imply a temporary state.

get sick

This is a more casual and common alternative to "fall sick".

contract an illness

This suggests acquiring a specific disease or ailment.

be taken ill

This is a more passive way of expressing the same idea.

succumb to illness

This suggests a more serious or debilitating condition.

be afflicted with

This phrase implies suffering from a disease or condition.

suffer from

This is a general way to describe experiencing a disease or ailment.

develop a disease

This emphasizes the development or onset of a disease.

be struck down with

This suggests a sudden and often severe onset of illness.

FAQs

What does "fall sick" mean?

The phrase "fall sick" means to become ill or to start suffering from a disease or ailment. It describes the onset of sickness.

Is it better to say "get sick" or "fall sick"?

Both "fall sick" and "get sick" are correct, but "get sick" is more common in everyday conversation. "Fall sick" can sound slightly more formal or literary.

What are some alternative phrases for "fall sick"?

Some alternatives include "become ill", "become unwell", or "contract an illness", depending on the specific context.

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

You can use "fall sick" like this: "Many people "fall sick" during the winter months due to the flu virus."