he was ailing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was ailing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is suffering from illness or poor health. Example: "Despite his age, he was ailing and needed assistance with daily activities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

But he was ailing and under-prepared.

The Guardian - Sport

For his part, Sirotka acknowledged in Dunedin that he was ailing at the time of the trade.

The New York Times - Sports

In a Twitter tribute to Mr. Hoare, Don Van Natta reported that he had dinner with the whistle-blower last week: "He was ailing but defiant and funny.

The New York Times

I sat and talked to him for hours years ago, when he was ailing and not able to play golf anymore.

The New York Times

In 1988 the Scottish painter John Bellany needed a liver transplant: he was ailing badly and even his paintings had become pale and wan.

The Guardian - Arts

Kim Jong-il, the current Supreme Leader's father, travelled to China seven times between 2000 and 2011, even when he was ailing and near death.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

"First of all, he's ailing and infirm," Ms. Stewart said.

The New York Times

Although he is ailing and in a wheelchair, he attended nearly all of this year's proceedings.

The New Yorker

Mauer's admission that he is ailing is reason for Twins concern.

The New York Times

He is ailing and has had several hospital stays in recent years.

Huffington Post

And he's ailing (suffering from Parkinson's disease), so I'm kind of happy about it actually," she added, ending the thought with an uneasy laugh.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's health condition, use "he was ailing" to convey that the person was experiencing a period of illness or declining health. This phrase is particularly suitable when the condition is not necessarily severe but is impacting their well-being.

Common error

Be cautious when using "he was ailing" in contexts where the person's condition is actually critical. Opt for stronger terms like "he was gravely ill" or "he was critically ill" to accurately reflect the seriousness of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was ailing" functions as a descriptive statement indicating a past state of poor health. Ludwig confirms its validity in conveying that someone experienced a period of being unwell.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

20%

Arts

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was ailing" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to describe someone's past state of poor health. As Ludwig confirms, it is broadly employed in various reliable sources and holds a neutral formality. When using this phrase, avoid exaggerating or downplaying the gravity of the person's condition and consider alternatives like "he was unwell" for a less specific meaning. Predominantly found in News & Media, its purpose is to inform and explain a previous state of health. Be mindful of contexts that call for stronger or more specific language to provide an accurate description.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was unwell

A more general term indicating a temporary state of not being completely healthy.

he was not well

A straightforward and common way to express that someone is experiencing health problems.

he was in poor health

Focuses on the overall state of his health being diminished or compromised.

he was sick

A common and simple way of saying someone is experiencing illness.

he was under the weather

An idiomatic expression suggesting a mild and temporary illness.

he was failing in health

Emphasizes a gradual decline and worsening of his health condition.

his health was declining

Focuses on the progressive deterioration of his physical condition.

he was weakening

Highlights the loss of strength and vitality due to illness or age.

he was infirm

Indicates a state of being weak or feeble, often due to old age or illness.

he was suffering

General expression of the experience of enduring pain, discomfort, or distress, often due to illness.

FAQs

What does "he was ailing" mean?

The phrase "he was ailing" means that someone was experiencing a period of illness or declining health. It suggests a state of being unwell, but not necessarily critically ill. The phrase suggests a negative state of health for someone. You can check the definition of the word "ailing on Merriam Webster's dictionary".

What are some alternatives to "he was ailing"?

Alternatives to "he was ailing" include phrases like "he was unwell", "he was not well", or "he was in poor health". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey about the person's condition.

How formal is the phrase "he was ailing"?

The phrase "he was ailing" is relatively neutral in formality. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it might be slightly more common in written or slightly elevated language compared to very casual speech.

Is it correct to say "he is ailing" instead of "he was ailing"?

Yes, "he is ailing" is correct. "He is ailing" indicates that someone is currently experiencing illness, while "he was ailing" refers to a past period of illness.