has fallen ill

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'has fallen ill' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone has become sick, usually in a more serious way than the casual phrase "not feeling well." For example: "I'm afraid that John has fallen ill and won't be able to join us for dinner tonight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

11 War Crimes Judge is Ill Richard May, the British judge who presides over the war crimes trial of Slobodan Milosevic, has fallen ill, adding a serious new setback to the two-year-old process, which has been plagued with difficulties from the start.

The New York Times

"Here, everyone has fallen ill with alcohol".

The Economist

The Dowager Countess has fallen ill.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

So far, no one has fallen ill.

The New York Times - Magazine

No one has fallen ill there so far.

The New York Times - Health

Unfortunately, Kuti has fallen ill and has had to postpone his area appearances.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Scores more have fallen ill from the respiratory illness.

The Washington Post

"I had fallen ill.

The Guardian

More than 200 people had fallen ill.

The New York Times - Travel

"My wife had fallen ill.

The Guardian - Sport

Employees claimed three workers had fallen ill.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has fallen ill", consider the context and audience. It's appropriate for formal and neutral situations but might sound overly dramatic in casual conversations. Choose synonyms like "is unwell" or "is sick" for less formal settings.

Common error

Avoid using "has fallen ill" in informal contexts or when describing minor ailments. It can sound overly formal or create unnecessary alarm. Instead, opt for more casual phrases like "not feeling well" or "under the weather".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has fallen ill" functions as a stative verb phrase, indicating a state of being (illness) that someone has entered into. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and frequently used in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has fallen ill" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase to describe someone becoming sick, often implying a more serious or sudden onset of illness. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a valid and frequently used expression. Its usage spans across various contexts, with a prevalence in news and media. When writing, consider the audience and context to determine if "has fallen ill" is the most appropriate choice, or whether a synonym like "is sick" or "is unwell" would be more suitable. The authoritative sources and common usage patterns affirm its place in standard English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has become sick

Uses a more general term 'sick' instead of 'ill', indicating a broader range of ailments.

has taken sick

Emphasizes the act of becoming sick, slightly more informal.

is unwell

A more formal and general way of saying someone is not well.

is indisposed

A very formal way to indicate a temporary illness or disinclination.

is ailing

Implies a prolonged or chronic illness.

has contracted an illness

Highlights the acquisition of a specific disease or ailment.

is suffering from an illness

Emphasizes the experience of dealing with an ongoing illness.

has been struck down with illness

Suggests a sudden and debilitating onset of illness.

is not feeling well

A more casual way of indicating mild sickness.

is under the weather

An idiomatic expression for feeling slightly unwell.

FAQs

How to use "has fallen ill" in a sentence?

Use "has fallen ill" to describe a situation where someone has become sick, often unexpectedly or seriously. For example, "The CEO "has fallen ill" and will be taking a leave of absence".

What can I say instead of "has fallen ill"?

You can use alternatives like "has become sick", ""is unwell"", or "is ailing" depending on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.

Which is correct, "has fallen ill" or "has became ill"?

"Has fallen ill" is the correct phrase. "Fallen" is the past participle of "fall", which is the correct verb form to use with "has" to indicate a completed action. "Became" is the past simple form of "become".

What's the difference between "has fallen ill" and "is sick"?

"Has fallen ill" is generally perceived as more formal and can imply a more serious or sudden onset of illness. "Is sick" is a more general and commonly used term to describe someone who is not well.