fell ill

USAGE SUMMARY

"fell ill" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a person who has suddenly become sick. Example: Sheila fell ill a few days ago and had to stay home from work.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He fell ill.

The Economist

She fell ill.

The New Yorker

Someone fell ill.

The New York Times

Hopper fell ill last September.

Independent

Welles fell ill.

The Guardian - Film

"I fell ill.

The Guardian

Then he fell ill.

The Guardian - Books

Wilson also fell ill in Paris.

The New Yorker

Nearly half the town fell ill.

The New York Times

Six babies died and thousands fell ill.

The Economist

In 1863 he fell ill with malaria.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fell ill" to describe a sudden onset of illness, especially when emphasizing the unexpected nature of the sickness. It's particularly useful in narrative contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "fell ill" to describe long-term or chronic health issues. It's more appropriate for sudden sicknesses rather than ongoing ailments. For chronic conditions, use phrases like "suffered from" or "was diagnosed with".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fell ill" functions as a verb phrase indicating the past tense of becoming sick. It describes a state change, specifically the onset of an illness. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fell ill" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the sudden onset of an illness. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is widespread across various contexts, particularly in news and media, encyclopedias, and wiki sources. It is essential to use it appropriately for sudden sicknesses rather than chronic conditions. Alternative phrases like "became sick" or "took ill" can be used depending on the desired level of formality. By following best practices and avoiding common errors, writers can effectively use "fell ill" to convey information about someone's sudden health decline.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became sick

A more general and common way to describe the onset of illness.

became unwell

A more general term for not being in good health.

took ill

A slightly more formal or old-fashioned way of saying "fell ill".

was taken ill

Passive voice construction of "took ill", emphasizing the suddenness.

developed an illness

Focuses on the process of the illness starting.

succumbed to illness

Emphasizes the negative impact and potential severity of the illness.

contracted a disease

Specifies that the illness is a disease that was acquired.

was afflicted with

Highlights the suffering caused by the illness.

suffered from an ailment

More formal and emphasizes the negative impact of a possibly chronic condition.

came down with something

Informal way to say someone is sick, implying a non-serious illness.

FAQs

How do you use "fell ill" in a sentence?

You can use "fell ill" to describe a person or animal that suddenly becomes sick. For example: "She suddenly "fell ill" and had to be hospitalized."

What's a formal alternative to "fell ill"?

A more formal alternative to "fell ill" is "took ill" or "was taken ill". These phrases are suitable for professional or academic writing.

What's the difference between "fell ill" and "became sick"?

"Fell ill" suggests a more sudden or unexpected onset of sickness, while "became sick" is a more general term for getting sick. The choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "fall ill" or "fell ill"?

"Fall ill" is the base form of the verb, while ""fell ill"" is the past tense. Use "fell ill" when referring to a past event.