gravely ill

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gravely ill" is a correct and usable part of a written English sentence.
You may use it to describe someone who is very sick or has a serious illness. For example: "After being diagnosed with cancer, the patient was gravely ill."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He became gravely ill.

The New York Times

"None are gravely ill".

The Guardian

Frank McCourt is gravely ill.

The New Yorker

She became gravely ill, court papers said.

The New York Times

Islam Karimov, Uzbekistan's President, Is Gravely Ill.

The New York Times

Vigo was by now gravely ill.

The Guardian - Film

It is difficult enough to be injured or gravely ill.

The New York Times

In April he heard that his father was gravely ill.

Encyclopedia Britannica

One of their two daughters is gravely ill, too.

The Economist

In his 81st year, Barnum fell gravely ill.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In fact, she said, she was gravely ill.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a medical situation, use "gravely ill" to convey a high degree of seriousness and potential risk. It's more formal than "seriously sick" but less final than "terminally ill."

Common error

Avoid using "gravely ill" in casual conversation or informal writing. It can sound overly dramatic or out of place when describing minor ailments or temporary discomfort. Use simpler terms like "sick" or "unwell" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gravely ill" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun (typically a person) to indicate they are suffering from a severe and life-threatening illness. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Encyclopedias

17%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Science

4%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gravely ill" is a well-established and grammatically sound way to describe a severe and potentially life-threatening medical condition. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. As shown by Ludwig, it is most frequently encountered in news reports, encyclopedias and academic texts, making it suitable for formal and neutral contexts. While "gravely ill" effectively communicates the seriousness of a situation, it's crucial to consider the audience and context. In casual conversation, simpler terms like "sick" or "very unwell" may be more appropriate. Alternatives like "critically unwell" or "dangerously ill" offer nuanced ways to convey the severity of the illness. Be mindful of the specific meaning you intend to communicate, and choose the phrase that best suits the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

critically unwell

Uses "critically" instead of "gravely", emphasizing the precarious nature of the illness with a higher degree of risk.

dangerously ill

Highlights the potential risk to life posed by the illness.

grievously unwell

Similar to "gravely ill", but employs "grievously" to amplify the severity of the illness in a slightly more formal manner.

in critical condition

Emphasizes the severity of the patient's state, often implying the need for intensive care.

seriously sick

Replaces "ill" with "sick", which is a more informal and common term.

afflicted with a severe disease

Emphasizes the negative impact of a serious medical condition.

in a serious condition

A more general way to describe a severe health problem.

suffering from a life-threatening illness

Directly states that the illness could result in death.

terminally sick

Suggests the illness is incurable and will lead to death.

fighting for their life

Focuses on the struggle against a life-threatening illness.

FAQs

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

Use "gravely ill" to describe someone who is suffering from a severe and potentially life-threatening illness. For example, "The patient was "gravely ill" after contracting a rare disease".

What are some alternatives to "gravely ill"?

You can use alternatives like "critically unwell", "seriously sick", or "dangerously ill" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "gravely ill" in everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "gravely ill" is a formal phrase and might sound overdramatic in casual conversation. Simpler phrases like "sick" or "very unwell" are often more suitable in informal settings.

What is the difference between "gravely ill" and "terminally ill"?

"Gravely ill" indicates a severe illness that may or may not be fatal. "Terminally ill", on the other hand, specifically means that the illness is incurable and will eventually lead to death.