he is down

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "he is down" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that someone is feeling discouraged, emotionally low, or physically unwell. For example, "My grandma has been feeling quite unwell recently and she told me that she's been down lately."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Perhaps he is down with the flu.

The Guardian

In one evening, he is down to attend four events.

Independent

And then there he is, down in the subway".

The New York Times

He is down to earth, albeit pugnacious at times.

The Guardian - Business

He is down on the platform watching for me.

The New York Times

He will not kick a man when he is down".

The Guardian

"When he is down, he still thinks he can win.

The New York Times - Sports

Ken Green knows he is down to his last comeback.

The New York Times - Sports

A friend of his says he is "down to earth, modest, and not obviously into money".

Independent

Newt Gingrich was up, then down, then up again; now he is down again.

The New York Times

He is down in 462nd in the rankings and on Monday received a painful indication of his present standing.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he is down" to convey a temporary state of sadness, discouragement, or illness. Avoid using it for severe medical conditions; instead, opt for more specific and accurate language.

Common error

Avoid using "he is down" when describing someone with a serious medical condition or severe depression. This phrase can downplay the seriousness of the situation. Use more specific and sensitive language instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he is down" primarily functions as a descriptive statement, indicating a temporary state of being, whether it's emotional, physical, or situational. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sports

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he is down" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe someone experiencing a temporary setback, be it emotional, physical, or circumstantial. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's widely used across varied sources like news articles, sports reports, and general conversation. The phrase's neutral register makes it suitable for most contexts, though it's essential to avoid using it in situations requiring greater specificity or sensitivity. Alternatives like ""he is feeling low"" or "he is struggling" might be more appropriate depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he is feeling low

Focuses on the emotional state, emphasizing a temporary feeling of sadness.

he is depressed

Indicates a more prolonged and severe state of sadness or emotional distress.

he is discouraged

Highlights a loss of confidence or motivation.

he is disheartened

Similar to discouraged, but suggests a deeper sense of disappointment.

he is dejected

Suggests a feeling of being cast down or rejected.

he is crestfallen

Implies extreme disappointment and sadness.

he is in low spirits

Describes a temporary state of unhappiness or gloom.

he is at a low ebb

Refers to a point of decline or weakness, either physically or emotionally.

he is on the decline

Indicates a gradual deterioration in health, status, or condition.

he is under the weather

Suggests a mild illness or feeling unwell.

FAQs

How can I use "he is down" in a sentence?

You can use "he is down" to describe someone feeling sad, discouraged, or under the weather. For example, "He wasn't at work today; I heard "he is down" with a cold".

What's the difference between "he is down" and "he is depressed"?

"He is down" usually implies a temporary state of sadness or low spirits, while "he is depressed" suggests a more prolonged and serious condition. If someone is feeling "he is feeling low", it doesn't necessarily mean he is clinically depressed.

Which is correct, "he is down" or "he is feeling down"?

Both phrases are correct and convey a similar meaning, but "he is feeling down" emphasizes the emotional aspect more directly, while "he is down" can also refer to physical health or a temporary setback.

What can I say instead of "he is down" to sound more empathetic?

Consider using phrases like "he is struggling", "he is going through a tough time", or "he is having a hard time" to show more sensitivity and concern.