grow ill

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grow ill" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the process of becoming sick or unwell over time. Example: "After weeks of neglecting his health, he began to grow ill and needed to see a doctor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

But some rescue workers did grow ill and collapsed from exposure.

The New York Times

The number of HIV-positive Haitians held at Guantanamo has been slowly dwindling as those who grow ill have been transferred to the United States for medical care.

The Washington Post

Families of the detained speak of months of worry, especially for relatives who grow ill in custody.

Vice

However, Byron didn't want to send Allegra back to be raised in the Shelley household, where he was sure she'd grow ill from eating a vegetarian diet and would be taught atheism.

Wikipedia

Abbott first began to grow ill in May 1832, when he wrote to Sir Egerton Brydges that "My spirit is so depressed, that when I am not strongly excited by some present object that admits of no delay, I sink into something very nearly approaching torpidity".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Failure to grow (ill-thrift) in calves has a negative effect on animal production and health.

Journal of Advanced Research

Taylor, plagued by controversy, grew ill.

The New Yorker

John, increasingly weak and uncertain, grows ill.

Encyclopedia Britannica

First, their 15-year-old daughter grew ill.

The New York Times

But last fall, Mr. Ortiz's father grew ill.

The New York Times

He grew ill from his exposure to the chemicals.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grow ill" to describe a gradual decline in health, contrasting with sudden illnesses. For example, 'After neglecting his diet for months, he began to "grow ill"'.

Common error

Avoid using "grow ill" when describing sudden sickness; opt for phrases like "suddenly fell ill" or "was taken ill" to better convey the abrupt onset.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grow ill" functions as an intransitive verb phrase, where "grow" acts as a linking verb connecting the subject to the adjective "ill". According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe the process of becoming sick.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

17%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Science

9%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grow ill" is a grammatically sound and commonly used way to describe a gradual decline in health. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, general writing, and encyclopedic entries. While alternatives like "become sick" or "fall ill" exist, "grow ill" specifically emphasizes the progressive nature of becoming unwell. Remember to use it to depict a slow deterioration rather than a sudden illness, and you'll effectively convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become sick

Focuses on the state of being sick rather than the process of becoming sick.

fall ill

Emphasizes a sudden onset of illness, contrasting with the gradual nature suggested by "grow ill".

sicken

Implies that something or someone is causing the illness.

be taken ill

Highlights the unexpected nature of becoming sick.

develop an illness

Focuses on the development of the illness itself, instead of the experience of becoming sick.

succumb to illness

Emphasizes the overpowering nature of the sickness.

contract a disease

Specific to catching a contagious disease.

ail

A more literary or archaic way of saying someone is unwell.

decline in health

Highlights the degradation of overall health.

fall into decline

Emphasizes a gradual weakening or decay in health.

FAQs

What does "grow ill" mean?

"Grow ill" means to gradually become sick or unwell over a period of time. It suggests a slow decline in health rather than a sudden onset of illness.

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

You can use "grow ill" to describe a gradual decline in someone's health. For example, "After months of working long hours and not getting enough sleep, she began to "grow ill".

What can I say instead of "grow ill"?

Alternatives to "grow ill" include "become sick", "fall ill", or "develop an illness" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "grow ill" or "become ill"?

Both "grow ill" and "become ill" are correct, but "grow ill" suggests a gradual process, while "become ill" can imply a more sudden change in health.