he contracted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he contracted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone has acquired or developed a condition, illness, or agreement. Example: "After traveling abroad, he contracted a rare disease that required immediate medical attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He contracted syphilis twice.

The New York Times

He contracted hepatitis.

The New York Times

In 2009, he contracted polio.

The Guardian

He contracted all three, yet survived.

The New York Times - Health

He contracted pneumonia, then severe diarrhea.

The New York Times - Magazine

He contracted malaria and dengue fever there.

The New York Times

It ended when he contracted pneumonia.

The Guardian - Music

He contracted it from his dog, Buddy.

The New York Times - Health

He contracted typhoid once, and suffered several cases of dysentery.

The New York Times

In Ho Chi Minh City, he contracted a parasite.

The New Yorker

After his discharge, he contracted pneumonia and became anemic.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he contracted" in medical contexts, specify the illness or condition clearly for better understanding. For instance, "he contracted pneumonia" is more informative than just "he contracted something."

Common error

Avoid using "he contracted" to describe actions that are not related to illnesses, diseases, or formal agreements. For example, don't say "he contracted to clean the house" when you mean "he agreed" or "was hired".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he contracted" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a transitive verb, indicating that the subject 'he' has acquired or entered into something. Ludwig AI analysis of usage patterns shows it often relates to acquiring illnesses or entering agreements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he contracted" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase that typically indicates the acquisition of an illness, disease, or the entering into a formal agreement. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts, with supporting examples also appearing in science and encyclopedic sources. While the phrase maintains a neutral formality, it's essential to ensure its proper usage by specifying the condition or agreement and avoiding its misuse in contexts unrelated to these meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he caught

Implies acquiring an illness or disease, similar to contracting one.

he developed

Indicates the gradual onset of a condition or illness.

he acquired

Suggests obtaining or gaining something, including a disease or condition.

he became infected with

Specifically indicates acquiring an infection.

he was diagnosed with

Indicates a formal medical identification of a condition.

he entered into

Suggests formally agreeing to a contract or agreement.

he signed an agreement

Specifically refers to the act of signing a formal contract.

he took on

Implies accepting a responsibility or obligation.

he undertook

Suggests committing to a task or project.

he stipulated

Implies setting the terms of an agreement.

FAQs

How is "he contracted" typically used in a sentence?

Typically, "he contracted" is used to indicate that someone has acquired an illness, disease, or has entered into a formal agreement. For example: "He contracted pneumonia", or "He contracted with a local firm".

What can I say instead of "he contracted" when referring to an illness?

When referring to an illness, you can use alternatives like "he caught", "he developed", or "he acquired" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "he contracted a cold"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct to say "he contracted a cold". It means he caught or acquired a cold. However, it might sound slightly formal; alternatives like "he caught a cold" might be more common in everyday conversation.

What's the difference between "he contracted" and "he was diagnosed with"?

"He contracted" implies the act of acquiring a disease or condition, while "he was diagnosed with" refers to the formal medical identification of a disease. Someone first contracts an illness, then later might be diagnosed with it.