he was ill

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'he was ill' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in any written context where you are speaking about someone being unhealthy or sick. For example: "John had been feeling off for a few days before he finally admitted that he was ill."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

He was ill.

The New York Times

But he was ill.

The New York Times

(I hadn't known he was ill).

The New Yorker

"He was ill physically and mentally, too".

The New York Times

He was ill and alone.

The Guardian

Mr. Soyois confirmed that he was ill.

The New York Times

"I was not aware he was ill.

The Guardian - Sport

"We did know he was ill.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Crikey, he was ill-prepared.

The Guardian

He was ill-prepared when the spiral down began.

The New York Times

Yesterday he told the Guardian he was ill-prepared.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To provide a more comprehensive description, follow "he was ill" with specific details about the illness or its symptoms.

Common error

Avoid using "ill" in very formal or technical writing; consider substituting it with more precise terms like "suffering from a specific condition" or "diagnosed with an illness" for clarity and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was ill" primarily functions as a statement or description. It uses the past tense of the verb "to be" to indicate a state of sickness experienced by a male subject in the past. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its usage in similar contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he was ill" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to describe a past state of sickness in a male subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely accepted and utilized across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While synonyms exist, such as "he was sick" or "he was unwell", "he was ill" maintains a formal tone and is appropriate for expressing information about someone's health. Remember to consider the specific nuances of the context when choosing between this phrase and its alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was unwell

Replaces "ill" with a more general term for not being well, maintaining a similar level of formality.

he was sick

A more common and informal synonym for "ill".

he was not feeling well

A straightforward and neutral way to express that someone is ill.

he was ailing

Implies a more prolonged or chronic state of illness.

he was under the weather

An idiomatic expression indicating a mild illness.

he had a sickness

Shifts the focus to the presence of an illness rather than a state of being.

he suffered from an illness

Emphasizes the experience of enduring an illness.

his health was failing

Indicates a gradual decline in health, often associated with aging or a chronic condition.

he was indisposed

A more formal and somewhat euphemistic way of saying someone is ill.

he was in poor health

Focuses on the overall state of his health rather than a specific instance of illness.

FAQs

How can I use "he was ill" in a sentence?

You can use "he was ill" to describe someone's state of being unhealthy or sick. For example, "He was ill with the flu last week and couldn't attend the meeting".

What are some synonyms for "he was ill"?

Alternatives include "he was sick", "he was unwell", or "he was ailing", each carrying slightly different connotations.

Is it correct to say "he was ill"?

Yes, "he was ill" is grammatically correct and commonly used. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

What's the difference between "he was ill" and "he fell ill"?

"He was ill" describes a state of being, while "he fell ill" describes the action of becoming ill. The latter implies a transition into a state of sickness.