he was indisposed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was indisposed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is unwell or unable to attend to something, often in a formal context. Example: "Unfortunately, he was indisposed and could not attend the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

I asked Jack Straw to make the parliamentary statement on Europe the next day in place of Tony, and we had a debate on what should happen to the nuclear button while he was indisposed.

The Guardian

Diplomats said Egyptian officials told American diplomats on Tuesday evening that Mr. Mubarak was not feeling well, and today, Secretary Powell said, the Egyptians reported that he was "indisposed".

The New York Times

Mr. Hansen found a man named Kenneth who would not let Mr. Hansen in because he was indisposed — he became "Pantsless Kenneth" in the column — but said that he knew the photo in question and thought his neighbor had taken it.

The New York Times

Perhaps the highlight was John Hurt taking the lead role in Radio 4's Jeffrey Bernard Is Unwell, Keith Waterhouse's still-sparkling biographical play about the notorious Soho bon vivant who wrote the Low Life column in the Spectator – except, of course, when he was indisposed.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

An insert in the program announced he would not be singing; an announcement before the show contradicted this; and one inferred that he was indisposed, decided to give it a try anyway, and once onstage, having cracked hideously and repeatedly in the introduction to his big aria, pulled himself together to deliver the aria itself without mishap.

The New York Times - Arts

Jourdan retired to Strasbourg, where he was, or claimed he was, indisposed.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"President Obama would have loved to see President Mandela, but he is indisposed," said Maite Nkoane Mashebane, South Africa's minister of international relations, according to Agence France-Presse.

The New York Times

I behaved quite normally that evening though at the end, when he asked if Minn would welcome a visit from Bubl, I replied smoothly that she was indisposed.

The Guardian

Concerns were raised after Smith missed three consecutive shows after the Baftas on Sunday night, with the Savoy theatre announcing that she was "indisposed".

The Guardian

Other oddballs include a tottering redhead who seems to be waiting or looking for something; a spectral female in pale nightie who drifts about, echoing the gestures of others, as if trying to make sense of them (this was to have been Bausch herself, but she was indisposed on opening night).

Independent

The company will say only that she is "indisposed".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he was indisposed" in formal contexts when you want to politely and indirectly indicate that someone is unavailable due to illness or another reason. It's often used in official announcements or written communications.

Common error

Avoid using "he was indisposed" in casual conversations. It can sound overly formal or pretentious. Simpler alternatives like "he was sick" or "he wasn't feeling well" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was indisposed" functions as a polite and formal way to explain someone's absence or inability to participate in an event or activity, typically due to illness or a temporary ailment. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he was indisposed" is a formal phrase used to politely explain someone's absence, typically due to illness or a temporary ailment. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for formal contexts. While not common in everyday conversation, it is frequently found in news articles, official announcements, and formal writing. Simpler alternatives like "he was unwell" or "he was sick" are more appropriate for casual settings. When choosing to use "he was indisposed", consider your audience and the level of formality required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was indisposed due to illness

More specific explanation for his indisposition.

he was unwell

A more direct and common way to indicate that someone is sick.

he was not feeling well

Similar to "he was unwell", but emphasizes the subjective experience of illness.

he was sick

A simple and direct way to state someone's illness.

he was taken ill

Implies a sudden onset of illness.

he was under the weather

An idiomatic expression for feeling slightly ill.

he was out of action

Suggests that someone is unable to participate due to an injury or illness.

he was unavailable

A broader term that indicates someone is unable to attend or participate, not necessarily due to illness.

he was not available at the moment

A more formal alternative to indicate unavailability.

he was incapacitated

Indicates a severe inability to function, often due to illness or injury.

FAQs

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

You can use "he was indisposed" to politely explain someone's absence. For example, "The speaker could not attend the conference because "he was indisposed"."

What's a simpler way to say "he was indisposed"?

Alternatives include "he was unwell", "he was sick", or "he was not feeling well". The best choice depends on the context and level of formality.

Is "he is indisposed" the same as "he was indisposed"?

No, "he is indisposed" refers to the present, while "he was indisposed" refers to the past. Use "he is indisposed" to describe a current state of unavailability, and "he was indisposed" to describe a past state.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "he was indisposed"?

"He was indisposed" is suitable in formal writing, official announcements, or when you want to politely explain someone's absence without being too direct. Avoid using it in informal conversations.