fare ill

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fare ill" is correct and usable in written English, though it is somewhat archaic.
It can be used to describe someone experiencing misfortune or bad outcomes, often in a literary or poetic context. Example: "If you continue down this path, you will surely fare ill in your endeavors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

A hobo may fare well on a route one time and another time fare ill.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Aware that despite her Russian ethnicity she'll fare ill in the oncoming Russian invasion, she becomes the agent of her own first disappearance, turning herself over to a broker of "au pairs".

The New York Times - Books

If all values or moral considerations are metaphysically (that is, in fact) commensurable, still it might well be the case that our access to the ultimate commensurating function is so limited that we would fare ill by proceeding in our deliberations to try to think about which outcomes are "better" or which considerations are "stronger".

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

His force in turn would have fared ill had not Major Treat, with one hundred Connecticut men and sixty Mohegans, marching toward Northfield, been attracted by the firing and relieved him as evening fell.

University of Chicago

In a world where resources are limited, headache disorders are unrecognised as a public-health priority and fare badly in the queue for resource allocation, despite clear evidence of the ill-health, disability and economic burdens they impose [2, 3].

The Journal of Headache and Pain

The absence of the polarizing but politically astute Fernandez on the stump may bode ill for her Front for Victory Party, or FPV, which fared poorly in primary elections in August.

Los Angeles Times

By E. B. White The New Yorker, October 8, 1966 P. 53 Ill fares the land, to hastening ills a prey, View Article By Phil Klay By John Cassidy By Troy Patterson By Larissa MacFarquhar.

The New Yorker

By E. B. White The New Yorker, October 8, 1966 P. 53 Ill fares the land, to hastening ills a prey, View Article By Rivka Galchen By Larissa MacFarquhar By Alexandra Schwartz By Malcolm Gladwell.

The New Yorker

"The Memory Chalet" bears little resemblance to the densely researched works of history that preceded it, but some of its preoccupations were hinted at in "Ill Fares the Land," Judt's post-illness overview of the state of contemporary politics.

The New York Times - Books

Ill fares the land, to hastening ills a prey,.

The New Yorker

"Ill Fares the Land" gets off to a distressing start.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “fare ill” when you want to convey a sense of impending doom or inevitable negative consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "fare ill" in casual or contemporary writing where simpler alternatives like "do badly" or "experience misfortune" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fare ill" functions as a verbal phrase, typically used as a predicate to describe the negative state or outcome experienced by the subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct, although archaic.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fare ill" is a grammatically correct but somewhat archaic phrase used to describe experiencing misfortune or negative outcomes. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, although it's more suited for formal or literary contexts rather than everyday conversation. While less common in modern usage, alternatives like "suffer misfortune" or "experience hardship" offer more contemporary options. The phrase's function is to predict or judge a future negative experience. When writing, consider the audience and context before using "fare ill", opting for simpler language in casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suffer misfortune

Emphasizes the experience of bad luck or adversity.

experience hardship

Highlights the difficulties encountered.

meet with adversity

Focuses on encountering challenging circumstances.

have a bad outcome

States a generally unfavorable result.

come to grief

Suggests a disastrous or unfortunate end.

encounter difficulties

Highlights the problems faced.

be unsuccessful

Focuses on the lack of success in an endeavor.

not prosper

Indicates a failure to thrive or flourish.

fall on hard times

Suggests a period of financial or personal difficulty.

have a rough time

Indicates a difficult or unpleasant experience.

FAQs

How can I use "fare ill" in a sentence?

You can use "fare ill" to describe someone experiencing misfortune or negative outcomes, often in a formal or literary context. For example, "Those who neglect their studies will surely fare ill in their exams."

What are some alternatives to "fare ill"?

Some alternatives include "suffer misfortune", "experience hardship", or "have a bad outcome". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "fare ill" commonly used in modern English?

While grammatically correct, "fare ill" is not frequently used in contemporary English. It's more common in older literature and formal writing. Simpler alternatives are generally preferred in everyday conversation.

Which is correct, "fare ill" or "fair ill"?

"Fare ill" is the correct phrasing. "Fare" in this context means to succeed or manage, while "fair" refers to something equitable or pleasing. Using "fair ill" would be grammatically incorrect and nonsensical.