he falls ill

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he falls ill" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone becoming sick or unwell, often in a narrative or descriptive context. Example: "As the season changed, he falls ill, prompting his friends to check on him regularly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

"And even when he falls ill, the illness won't last as long, he'll recover more easily.

Unicef

"When he falls ill with cancer, we want to show there is an illness among Iranian intellectuals who do not speak.

The New York Times - Arts

He falls ill and is given a choice.

The New York Times - Arts

* June 2009: Tobin's trial at Chelmsford Crown Court is halted after he falls ill.

Independent

Then when he falls ill, they can't restrain themselves from zooming in a few times on someone's mouth as it speaks the word cancer.

The New York Times - Arts

Hancock has been in close contact with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, liaising about rescue arrangements if he falls ill or faces appalling weather.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Had he fallen ill?

The New York Times

He fell ill.

The Economist

Then he fell ill.

The Guardian - Books

In 1863 he fell ill with malaria.

The New York Times

He fell ill minutes later.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he falls ill" to describe a specific instance of someone becoming sick, especially when narrating a story or providing a sequence of events.

Common error

Avoid using "fells" instead of "falls". "Fells" means to cut down a tree. "He fells ill" is incorrect; the correct phrase is "he falls ill".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he falls ill" functions as an intransitive verb phrase, where "falls ill" acts as the verb describing the action of becoming sick experienced by the subject "he". Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically sound and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he falls ill" is a grammatically correct and understandable way to describe someone becoming sick. While not as common as alternatives like "he gets sick" or "he becomes sick", it is still frequently used in various contexts, particularly in news reports and narratives. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable. When writing, remember to use "falls", not "fells". This phrase is best suited for describing a specific instance or event of someone becoming unwell.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he becomes sick

This alternative is a more general way of saying someone is not well.

he gets sick

This alternative is more informal than the original phrase.

he is taken ill

This alternative suggests a sudden onset of illness.

he succumbs to illness

This alternative suggests a losing battle against an illness.

he contracts an illness

This alternative specifies that the illness is contagious or acquired.

he ails

This alternative is a more archaic and less common way of saying someone is ill.

he is unwell

This alternative is a polite and somewhat formal way of saying someone is sick.

he takes sick

This alternative is less common and slightly old-fashioned.

illness befalls him

This alternative is more poetic and emphasizes the unexpected nature of the illness.

he is afflicted with illness

This alternative emphasizes the suffering caused by the illness.

FAQs

What does "he falls ill" mean?

The phrase "he falls ill" means that someone becomes sick or unwell.

What can I say instead of "he falls ill"?

You can use alternatives like "he becomes sick", "he gets sick", or "he is taken ill" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "he fells ill" instead of "he falls ill"?

No, "he fells ill" is incorrect. "Fells" means to cut down a tree. The correct phrase is "he falls ill".

What is the difference between "he falls ill" and "he is ill"?

"He falls ill" describes the act of becoming sick, while "he is ill" describes the state of being sick. "He falls ill" is an event, and "he is ill" is a condition.