he got sick

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "He got sick" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone has become ill. For example, "John was feeling great until last week when he got sick."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Then he got sick.

The New York Times

He got sick?

The New York Times

So he got sick.

The New York Times - Magazine

He got sick on bad seafood.

The New York Times

He was shooting until he got sick.

The New York Times

Then he got sick, and was never ths ame.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Then he got sicker.

The New York Times

"I wrote more as he got sicker because everything was more vivid," Huber said.

The New York Times - Sports

As he got sicker and sicker his interest for food declined to an extreme extent.

Huffington Post

And he gets sick right away, instant sickness.

Vice

Doesn't he get sick of it after 35 years?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, consider using alternatives like "he became ill" or "he fell ill" for a more polished tone.

Common error

Avoid using "he got sick" when referring to a chronic or life-threatening illness. It may downplay the severity of the situation. Instead, use phrases that reflect the seriousness of the condition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he got sick" functions as a statement of fact, indicating that someone has become ill. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, mirroring the numerous examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Science

9%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he got sick" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone becoming ill. Ludwig AI indicates its widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally appropriate for everyday conversations, more formal settings might benefit from alternatives like "he became ill" or "he fell ill". It's important to consider the context and the severity of the illness when choosing the most suitable phrase. Over all, "he got sick" serves as a straightforward and easily understood way to communicate a change in someone's health status.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he became ill

Emphasizes the process of becoming sick.

he fell ill

Suggests a sudden onset of illness.

he took sick

An older, slightly more formal way of saying someone became sick.

he was taken ill

Passive voice emphasizing the unexpected nature of the illness.

he succumbed to illness

Suggests a more serious or prolonged illness.

he was unwell

A milder way of saying someone is sick.

he caught a bug

Informal way of saying someone got a common illness.

he contracted a disease

Implies a specific disease was acquired.

he was diagnosed with

Highlights the medical identification of an illness.

his health declined

Describes a gradual deterioration of health.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "he got sick"?

You can use alternatives like "he became ill", "he fell ill", or "he took sick" depending on the context.

Is "he got sick" grammatically correct?

Yes, "he got sick" is grammatically correct and commonly used in spoken and written English. It follows the standard subject-verb-object structure.

How formal is the phrase "he got sick"?

The phrase "he got sick" is considered relatively informal. In more formal contexts, you might prefer alternatives like "he became ill" or "he fell ill".

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "he got sick"?

It might be inappropriate to use "he got sick" when discussing a very serious or long-term illness, as it could minimize the severity. In such cases, more specific or descriptive language would be more suitable.