getting sicker and sicker

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "getting sicker and sicker" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone’s health is deteriorating progressively over time. Example: "After several weeks of feeling unwell, she realized she was getting sicker and sicker, prompting her to visit a doctor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

"Marty was getting sicker and sicker, and I needed to stay close to home," Mendez recalled.

The New Yorker

Meanwhile, the Kalmeys were getting sicker and sicker, showing symptoms of both pneumonia and typhoid.

The New Yorker

I remember in the hotel, getting sicker and sicker, having this feeling of impending doom and darkness.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"In the meanwhile these patients are getting sicker and sicker and some are going to die entirely preventable deaths".

The Guardian

"I was getting sicker and sicker, and my only way of feeling good about myself was to make other people feel good," he said.

The New Yorker

I just kept getting sicker and sicker and I really wasn't able to see a doctor until I got the insurance".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

But Eliza just got sicker and sicker.

The Guardian

And yet, the alternative is to get sicker and sicker and sicker".

The New York Times

She went back over and over the memories of trauma and got sicker and sicker.

The New York Times - Magazine

Mr. Carey wrote that patients would get sicker and sicker for four or five days.

The New York Times - Science

We have to swallow some bitter medicine; if we don't, we're going to get sicker and sicker".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "getting sicker and sicker" to vividly describe a continuous decline in health or a deteriorating situation. This emphasizes the progressive nature of the decline.

Common error

While effective, "getting sicker and sicker" can become repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "becoming increasingly ill" or "deteriorating in health" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "getting sicker and sicker" functions primarily as a progressive descriptor, emphasizing the continuous and deteriorating nature of a condition. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Examples show it's commonly used to describe health decline, but can also apply to other worsening situations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "getting sicker and sicker" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe a progressively worsening condition, primarily in the context of health. Ludwig AI indicates its correctness and usability. It's common in news, media, and scientific writing, emphasizing a continuous decline and raising concern. While effective, it's advisable to use synonyms such as "becoming increasingly ill" or "deteriorating in health" to avoid repetition and maintain reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

becoming increasingly ill

Focuses on the state of being ill, emphasizing the increasing severity.

growing more unwell

Similar to becoming ill, but uses "unwell" to soften the impact.

deteriorating in health

Emphasizes the declining state of health.

declining in health

Highlights the reduction in the quality of health over time.

steadily failing in health

Indicates a constant and consistent decline in health.

worsening condition

Focuses on the condition rather than the person's experience.

progressively declining

Emphasizes the step-by-step nature of the decline.

gradually weakening

Highlights the loss of strength alongside declining health.

seeing a continuous downturn in health

Formal and emphasizes the ongoing negative trend.

experiencing a downward spiral in health

Suggests a rapid and uncontrollable decline.

FAQs

How can I use "getting sicker and sicker" in a sentence?

You can use "getting sicker and sicker" to describe a continuous decline in health or any situation that's progressively worsening. For example, "The patient was getting sicker and sicker despite the treatment."

What are some alternatives to "getting sicker and sicker"?

Alternatives include "becoming increasingly ill", "deteriorating in health", or "declining in health" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "getting sicker and sicker"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase uses the comparative adjective "sicker" repetitively to emphasize the ongoing and increasing nature of the illness.

What's the difference between "getting sicker" and "getting sicker and sicker"?

"Getting sicker" indicates a general decline in health, while "getting sicker and sicker" emphasizes a continuous and worsening progression of the illness, showing a more pronounced and ongoing deterioration.