got infected

USAGE SUMMARY

"got infected" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to contract a disease, usually through exposure to a virus or bacteria. Example: "Unfortunately, John got infected with the flu after coming into contact with his sick coworker."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Presumably the two swans with active infections got infected shortly before capture, which resulted in reduced migratory and foraging performance.

Plosone

Moreover, they also included reduced infectivity when a PrEP user got infected with HIV, which was not in our model.

Plosone

Would women who use it but got infected anyway develop hard-to-cure drug-resistant infections?

The New York Times - Health

My kidneys got infected".

The New Yorker

As result, so many doctors got infected by the virus.

The Guardian

Writer asked how the cat had got infected.

The New Yorker

We all cared for him and got infected too.

The Guardian - Opinion

She said she had now idea how she got infected.

Independent

"It hurt like the blazes, but my hand never got red, never got infected".

The New York Times

"That's how people I know got infected, they shared syringes or slept with someone," Ivan said.

The Guardian

The over-the-counter burn creams he tried didn't work – his foot got infected.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "got infected" when speaking about infections in an informal tone or when talking about specific instances or personal experiences with an infection. In formal documents, use phrases such as "contracted an infection".

Common error

Avoid using "got infected" when the situation involves inflammation without the presence of a pathogen. Inflammation is a response, not necessarily due to an infection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "got infected" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of contracting a disease or infection. As Ludwig AI explains, it's a common way to express the process of becoming infected. The examples illustrate its usage in describing how individuals, animals, or even objects become affected by infectious agents.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

39%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "got infected" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase to describe the act of contracting an infection. According to Ludwig AI, it is commonly used in written English. The phrase appears most often in News & Media and Scientific contexts but is also present in Formal & Business communications. For more formal settings, alternatives such as "contracted an infection" may be preferred. Keep in mind that the context decides whether "got infected" is appropriate or if a more formal phrase is needed. By avoiding common mistakes and following usage guidance, you can effectively and accurately use this phrase in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contracted an infection

Formal alternative emphasizing the act of acquiring an infection.

became infected

More formal and direct, focusing on the transition to an infected state.

caught an infection

Informal alternative emphasizing the acquisition of an infection, often quickly or unexpectedly.

was infected with

Passive voice, specifying the agent of infection.

developed an infection

Focuses on the process of an infection establishing itself.

came down with an infection

Informal and emphasizes the sudden onset of the infection.

picked up an infection

Suggests a casual or unintentional acquisition of the infection.

was afflicted with

More formal, suggesting a severe or chronic condition.

succumbed to an infection

Implies a vulnerability or weakness leading to the infection.

fell ill with an infection

Focuses on the overall illness resulting from the infection.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone "got infected"?

To say someone "got infected" means they contracted an illness or disease caused by a pathogen, such as a virus or bacteria. It implies the person was exposed to the pathogen and subsequently developed the infection.

Which is more formal, "got infected" or "contracted an infection"?

"Contracted an infection" is generally considered more formal than "got infected". Use "contracted an infection" in professional or medical contexts, while "got infected" is suitable for informal conversations.

What are some alternatives to saying someone "got infected"?

You can use alternatives like "became infected", "caught an infection", or "was infected with" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

How do I use "got infected" in a sentence?

You can use "got infected" in a sentence to describe how someone acquired an infection, such as "He got infected with the flu after traveling abroad", or "Her wound "got infected" because she didn't clean it properly".