he fell sick

USAGE SUMMARY

"He fell sick" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which someone suddenly becomes ill. For example: Gary had been feeling fine all day, but later that night, he fell sick and had to stay in bed for a few days.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

He fell sick three days later.

The Washington Post

Not long after, he fell sick himself.

The New York Times

Late one night he fell sick and lay writhing on the kitchen floor.

The Guardian

Even as he fell sick, with pneumonia, he continued attending performances, including one of Wagner's six-hour "Meistersinger".

The New Yorker

He fell sick during the rotavirus outbreak in September and his little body has wrestled against the diarrhoea and fever caused by the virus for four months.

The Guardian

There he fell sick, and, sensing that his end was near, he was taken back home to Görlitz where, attended by his wife and sons, he began to weaken.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Deichtine takes the boy home and raises him to early childhood, but he falls sick and dies.

Wikipedia

If he falls sick in month 37, he can skip 8 payments and most of a ninth before his reserve is exhausted.

Huffington Post

However, sending the possibly infected child home risks transmission to family members if he falls sick.

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

When she fell sick, he visited her home to wish her well.

The New York Times

During shooting she fell sick many times due to the intense emotional effort required.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he fell sick" to describe the onset of an illness, often implying a sudden or unexpected occurrence. This phrase works well in narrative contexts to indicate a change in someone's health status.

Common error

While "he fell sick" is generally acceptable, be mindful of your audience. In very formal contexts, consider using "he became ill" or "he took ill". In very informal contexts, "he got sick" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he fell sick" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating that the subject he experienced a change in health status. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Academia

3%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he fell sick" is a grammatically sound way to describe the onset of illness in someone. Ludwig AI confirms it is usable in written English. While not overly formal, it maintains a neutral tone suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media. Less common, but still valid, are its usages in scientific, formal, and business contexts. When considering alternatives, options like "he became ill" or "he took ill" offer similar meanings while maintaining the appropriate level of formality. Understanding these nuances can help improve clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he became ill

Replaces "fell sick" with "became ill", a more general term for getting sick.

he took ill

Uses "took ill" which is a slightly more formal or old-fashioned way of saying someone became ill.

he was stricken with illness

Emphasizes the sudden and forceful onset of the illness.

he contracted a disease

Focuses on the acquisition of a specific disease.

he was diagnosed with a condition

Highlights the medical identification of a health problem.

he succumbed to sickness

Implies that the illness was severe and debilitating.

his health deteriorated

Focuses on a gradual decline in overall health.

he experienced a health setback

Suggests a temporary decline in health.

he was indisposed

A more polite or formal way of saying someone is unwell.

he suffered a bout of illness

Indicates a limited period of sickness.

FAQs

What does "he fell sick" mean?

The phrase "he fell sick" means that he became ill or unwell. It's a way of saying that someone's health declined, and they started experiencing symptoms of a disease or illness.

What's a more formal way to say "he fell sick"?

More formal alternatives to "he fell sick" include "he became ill" or "he took ill". These phrases are suitable for professional or academic writing.

Is "he fell sick" the same as "he got sick"?

While both phrases indicate the onset of illness, "he fell sick" is slightly more formal than "he got sick". The choice depends on the context and desired tone.

Can I use "he fell sick" to describe a gradual decline in health?

While "he fell sick" can describe the onset of illness, phrases like "his health deteriorated" or "he was ailing" are more appropriate to describe a gradual decline in health.