having a cold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "having a cold" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a person who is ill with a cold virus, as in the sentence "John told his boss he could not come to work today because he was having a cold."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

I'm famous for having a cold flat.

The Guardian

It's a little bit like having a cold, or measles.

Independent

"It's like having pneumonia versus having a cold," he said.

The New Yorker

It concluded that your sense of smell onboard is equivalent to having a cold.

The Economist

Having a cold tends to reduce your self-control, and PMS does the same.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

An episode might involve Sarah having a cold, or Duck pretending to be a penguin.

The Guardian

I love having a cold face but a bubbly hot body.

The Guardian - Travel

"I was always straining, without having a cold or anything, and I could feel my voice when I was speaking.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

The vice president accuses the governor of having a cold-war "mindset" that treats China and Russia as "enemies".

The New York Times

She had a cold.

The New Yorker

He had a cold.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the temporary state of illness, use "having a cold" to clearly communicate that someone is currently experiencing the symptoms of a cold.

Common error

Avoid using "having a cold" to describe more severe respiratory illnesses like the flu or pneumonia. Use specific terminology to accurately convey the severity of the condition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "having a cold" functions as a gerund phrase, often used as part of a larger sentence to describe a state of illness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase for describing someone who is ill with a cold.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

39%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "having a cold" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the experience of suffering from a cold. As Ludwig AI points out, it is perfectly acceptable for indicating someone is ill with a cold virus. With examples sourced from diverse contexts like News & Media, Science, and Wiki, it's clear that this phrase is widely understood and used across various registers. While it's important to differentiate it from more severe conditions like the flu, "having a cold" remains a straightforward and effective way to communicate a common ailment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suffering from a cold

Replaces "having" with "suffering from", emphasizing the negative experience.

experiencing a cold

Substitutes "having" with "experiencing", focusing on the sensation of the illness.

down with a cold

Uses an idiom to indicate illness, implying being incapacitated by the cold.

afflicted by a cold

Replaces "having" with "afflicted by", highlighting the negative impact of the cold.

battling a cold

Uses "battling" to convey the struggle against the cold.

contending with a cold

Implies dealing with the difficulties caused by the cold.

nursing a cold

Focuses on the act of caring for oneself while sick with a cold.

recovering from a cold

Indicates the process of getting better after having a cold.

laid up with a cold

Uses an idiom to express being confined due to the cold.

under the weather with a cold

Employs a common expression for feeling unwell due to a cold.

FAQs

How do I use "having a cold" in a sentence?

Use "having a cold" to describe the state of experiencing cold symptoms. For example, "She is "having a cold", so she stayed home from work".

What can I say instead of "having a cold"?

You can use alternatives like "suffering from a cold", "down with a cold", or "experiencing a cold" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "having a cold" or "catching a cold"?

"Having a cold" describes the current state of illness, while "catching a cold" describes the act of becoming infected. Both are correct but have different meanings.

What's the difference between "having a cold" and "having the flu"?

"Having a cold" refers to a milder upper respiratory infection, while "having the flu" indicates a more severe illness with systemic symptoms. They are distinct illnesses caused by different viruses.