had been ailing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been ailing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that has been suffering from a health issue or problem over a period of time in the past. Example: "The old man had been ailing for several months before he finally sought medical help."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Turner had been ailing and suffered from advanced emphysema.

The New Yorker

The ministry said Mr. Linh, who had been ailing for several years, had died of liver cancer.

The New York Times

She had been ailing for several months, said George O'Brien, a friend, and died at New York Weill Cornell Center.

The New York Times

Prince Saud had been ailing for years, but his clout, contacts, and credibility continued to make him one of the world's most powerful voices on international affairs.

The New Yorker

One of the children had been ailing with swollen glands when it arrived, and two or three quick doses of "les vitamines Puritan" had fixed him up.

The New Yorker

But that night Nadal stunned Federer, who had been ailing leading up to the tournament, dismantling him, 6-3, 6-3, in 69 minutes.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Steinbrenner has been ailing and nearly reclusive.

The New York Times - Sports

Narrator sees the local psychiatrist who has been ailing.

The New Yorker

The tourism industry here has been ailing and has laid off thousands of workers.

The New York Times

The Thai situation seems different, now that the king, who is 82, has been ailing.

The New York Times

He may have been ailing in body but was as sharp as ever in mind.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had been ailing", ensure the context clearly establishes the period of illness prior to a specific event or time. For example, "She had been ailing for months before the surgery."

Common error

Avoid using "had been ailing" when referring to a present or future condition. Instead, use "is ailing" or "will be ailing" respectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been ailing" functions as a past perfect continuous verb phrase, indicating a prolonged state of illness or poor health that occurred before a specific point in the past. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase describes someone's condition prior to an event, like death or medical intervention.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had been ailing" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a state of prolonged illness before a specific point in the past. According to Ludwig, this phrase appears frequently in news and media contexts to provide background information about someone's health. While various alternatives exist, such as "had been unwell" or "had been suffering", the key is to ensure the correct tense usage to maintain clarity. The Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been unwell

Replaces "ailing" with a more general term for not being in good health.

had been sick

A simpler, more common way to express illness.

had been in poor health

More formal and explicit about the state of health.

had been suffering

Emphasizes the experience of discomfort or distress due to illness.

had been declining

Focuses on the gradual deterioration of health or condition.

had been failing

Indicates a weakening state of health, often suggesting a terminal condition.

had been weakening

Focuses on the loss of strength or vitality over time.

had been under the weather

An idiomatic expression for feeling unwell.

had been indisposed

A more formal and somewhat euphemistic way of saying someone was unwell.

had been infirm

Implies weakness or feebleness, especially due to old age.

FAQs

What does "had been ailing" mean?

The phrase "had been ailing" describes a state of poor health or illness that existed for a period of time in the past before a specific event or point in time. It implies a continuous or repeated experience of sickness.

What are some alternatives to "had been ailing"?

You can use alternatives such as "had been unwell", "had been in poor health", or "had been suffering" depending on the context.

How do I use "had been ailing" in a sentence?

Use "had been ailing" to describe someone or something that experienced a period of ill health before a particular event. For example, "The patient had been ailing for several weeks before seeking medical attention."

Is it correct to say "has been ailing" instead of "had been ailing"?

While both are grammatically correct, "has been ailing" refers to a condition that started in the past and continues to the present. "Had been ailing" refers to a past condition that ended before another point in the past.