fallen sick

USAGE SUMMARY

'fallen sick' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is generally used to describe someone who has suddenly become ill, such as with the flu. For example, "My coworker has fallen sick and will not be able to attend the meeting today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

(Having fallen sick after the defendants punctured a little effigy of him, he's got his reasons).

The New York Times - Books

My niece, my fiancé and my sister had also all fallen sick.

The Guardian - Opinion

Parents in the school and parishioners were told only that Father Ratigan had fallen sick from carbon monoxide poisoning.

The New York Times

As anyone who has fallen sick or lost their job can tell you, net wealth is often vital.

The Economist

If it weren't for all those late nights during college spent studying and going to parties, would I still have fallen sick?

The New York Times

Officials contacted 439 people who attended the event and found 123 had fallen sick with symptoms including fever, headache, cough, shortness of breath and aches.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

An actress fell sick.

The Guardian - Film

Soon after her wedding, Chloe falls sick.

The New Yorker

"My son fell sick soon after".

The Guardian

Not long after, he fell sick himself.

The New York Times

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

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fallen sick" to describe a sudden onset of illness, often implying a temporary or unexpected condition. It's appropriate for general contexts but may not be suitable for formal medical reporting.

Common error

Avoid using "fallen sick" in highly formal or technical writing, such as medical reports. Opt for more precise terms like "contracted an illness" or "developed a condition" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fallen sick" functions as a verb phrase indicating the onset of illness. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in describing someone becoming unwell. It is often used to explain an absence or a change in condition.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

23%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fallen sick" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the sudden onset of an illness. Ludwig AI's analysis reveals that it's widely used in news, business, and scientific contexts. While generally neutral in register, it might be less suitable for highly formal or technical writing. Consider alternatives like "became ill" or "contracted an illness" for such situations. Remember to consider your audience and context when choosing the most appropriate phrase to describe someone's condition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Became ill

More formal and direct, avoiding the slightly idiomatic feel of "fallen sick".

Taken ill

Similar in meaning, but uses "taken" instead of "fallen", slightly altering the nuance.

Taken sick

Similar to "taken ill", offering a slight variation in phrasing.

Contracted an illness

Focuses on the acquisition of a specific illness, rather than a general state of sickness.

Succumbed to illness

Implies a more serious or debilitating illness, suggesting a loss of resistance.

Developed a condition

More clinical and neutral, suitable for medical contexts where the nature of the illness is known.

Became unwell

A more general term for not being in good health, less specific than "fallen sick".

Was struck down with

Suggests a sudden and forceful onset of illness, often unexpected.

Came down with something

A more casual way of saying someone became ill, often used for minor ailments.

Complained of

Focuses on the expression of symptoms rather than the illness itself.

FAQs

How to use "fallen sick" in a sentence?

You can use "fallen sick" to describe someone who has recently become ill. For example, "She "fallen sick" and cannot come to work today".

What can I say instead of "fallen sick"?

You can use alternatives like "became ill", "taken ill", or "contracted an illness" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "fallen sick" or "fell sick"?

"Fallen sick" is the present perfect tense (has/have fallen sick), while "fell sick" is the simple past tense (He fell sick yesterday). Both are grammatically correct, but they describe different time frames.

What's the difference between "fallen sick" and "fallen ill"?

The phrases "fallen sick" and "fallen ill" are largely interchangeable and mean the same thing – to become ill. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or regional variation.