has become sick

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has become sick" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a change in someone's health status, indicating that they were previously healthy and have now fallen ill. Example: "After feeling fine for weeks, she has become sick and needs to see a doctor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

So far, no one has become sick from it.

The New Yorker

Oddly, Ms. Pappas said, neither she nor anyone who worked with her that day has become sick.

The New York Times

Agriculture officials maintain that no one has become sick from the Westland/Hallmark meat, and that the risk of contracting mad cow disease from it is quite low.

The New York Times

Three out of four Kenyans now know someone who has become sick or died from AIDS, up from 40percentt a decade ago.

The New York Times

That's why this whole UK underground thing has become sick, because everyone has finally said "Yeah yeah, Drake is sick – but hang on, we are too".

The Guardian - Music

He says he worries about spending so much time near a possible site for depleted uranium, but knows no one in the area who has become sick, with leukemia or anything else.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Roadside billboards advertise lawyers' services to injured coalminers ("Working days over? Meet Grover", reads one), who will take a cut of any payout.Even as Appalachia has grown richer, it has become sicker.

The Economist

Our second daughter had become sick.

The New Yorker

Who else had become sick?

The Guardian

We asked that anyone who had become sick or thought they might have become sick to contact us.

The New York Times

Parshva had no idea how he had become sick.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has become sick", consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing. In more formal settings, "has fallen ill" may be a better choice. In casual conversation, "has gotten sick" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "has become sick" excessively in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "has contracted an illness" or "has developed a condition" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has become sick" primarily functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating a change in health status. It describes the action of transitioning from a state of health to a state of illness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable in written English, with the provided examples further illustrating its use.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has become sick" is a grammatically sound and generally acceptable way to describe someone transitioning into a state of illness. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its appropriateness varies depending on the context. In more formal settings, alternatives like "has fallen ill" or "has contracted an illness" might be preferable. While the phrase is more commonly found in news and media sources, the usage patterns reveal a neutral register suited for various informative purposes. Keep in mind your audience and desired tone when choosing between "has become sick" and its many alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has fallen ill

Uses "fallen ill" instead of "become sick", offering a slightly more formal tone.

has taken ill

Uses "taken ill" which is similar to "fallen ill", but slightly less common.

has gotten sick

Replaces "become" with "gotten", resulting in a more informal and conversational tone.

is now unwell

Uses "unwell" as a more general term for sickness, suitable for various contexts.

has contracted an illness

Emphasizes the acquisition of a specific illness rather than a general state of sickness.

has developed a disease

Focuses on the development of a disease, suggesting a more chronic or progressive condition.

is suffering from

Highlights the experience of suffering due to an illness, emphasizing the impact on the individual.

is ailing

Presents a more gentle or euphemistic way of saying someone is sick, often implying a prolonged or chronic condition.

is afflicted with

Implies a more severe or debilitating condition, often used in formal or literary contexts.

succumbed to illness

Suggests a yielding or weakening due to the illness, often used when the illness is serious.

FAQs

What's a more formal way to say "has become sick"?

For formal contexts, consider using alternatives such as "has fallen ill" or "has contracted an illness", which convey a similar meaning with a more elevated tone.

Is "has become sick" appropriate for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "has become sick" might sound too informal for academic writing. Alternatives like "has developed a condition" or "has succumbed to illness" can lend more gravitas and precision.

What are some common synonyms for "has become sick" in everyday conversation?

In casual conversation, you can use phrases like "has gotten sick" or "is now unwell" to express that someone is no longer healthy.

Which is correct, "has become sick" or "became sick"?

"Has become sick" implies a process leading to the current state of being ill, using the present perfect tense. "Became sick" is simple past and describes the moment of falling ill. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the process or the event.