ill to think

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ill to think" is not commonly used in modern written English and may be considered somewhat archaic or poetic.
It can be used to express discomfort or unease about a particular thought or idea, often in a literary context. Example: "It is ill to think that we could ever forget the sacrifices made by those who came before us."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"It makes me violently ill to think someone would call this that," Mr. Arnold said.

The New York Times

48th over: Australia 198-8 (target 282; Warne 30, Lee 10) Warne crunches Harmison square on the off side for four - a very good shot, but I'm far too ill to think this might be the start of a horrendous Australian victory march.

The Guardian - Sport

That's the logical conclusion, he says, "but it makes me ill to think about it".

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Given the value of these contributions, modern pharmaceutical firms would indeed be ill advised to think of drug discovery as merely a linear process.

Research Policy

Many are too ill even to think about getting out of bed, let alone perform.

The New York Times

Well here's my two cents: Women are people too, People like you make me ill And to think, That some women would kill To be like me, To be free..

Huffington Post

While discussion regarding infectious disease spread via medical tourism tends to focus on the spread of disease to international patients, it is not ill conceived to think that spread could occur in the opposite fashion, with citizens and health care providers being exposed to disease carried by international patients [ 20].

BMC Public Health

But debate swirls around the teaching of the dismal science nowhere more so than in Britain.When the financial crisis hit in 2007-08, many economics students found themselves ill-equipped to think about what had gone wrong in the economy or how to fix it.

The Economist

Local officials may favor a repository (as was the case at Yucca), but state governments may not; lawmakers or the public may require a degree of certainty that science cannot in good conscience offer; and the public may be ill-equipped to think about complex technical problems.

The New York Times

Some mysterians appeal to the medieval tradition of apophatic or negative theology, the view that one can understand say what God is not, but not what God is, while others simply appeal to the idea that the human mind is ill-equipped to think about transcendent realities.

SEP

I will lay out my case that we are ill-served to think of saturated fat as either scapegoat or martyred saint.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ill to think" sparingly; its somewhat archaic tone can sound unnatural in contemporary writing. Consider alternatives like "unpleasant to consider" or "distressing to contemplate" for modern contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "ill to think" in casual or informal writing. It is more appropriate for literary or historical contexts where an archaic tone is desired. In contemporary conversation or business communication, opt for clearer, more direct phrasing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ill to think" functions as an idiomatic expression used to convey a sense of discomfort or unease when contemplating a particular idea. It expresses a negative reaction to a thought, suggesting it is unpleasant or disturbing. As Ludwig indicates, its usage in modern English is somewhat archaic.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ill to think" is a phrase used to express discomfort or unease about a particular thought. While grammatically sound, Ludwig indicates it is somewhat uncommon in contemporary English, lending a slightly archaic or overly formal tone to writing. Its usage is more appropriate in literary or historical contexts than in casual conversation. Alternatives like "unpleasant to consider" or "distressing to contemplate" often provide a clearer, more direct means of conveying the intended sentiment in modern contexts. As Ludwig's analysis shows, while not incorrect, "ill to think" should be used judiciously to achieve the desired effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unpleasant to consider

Focuses on the disagreeable or displeasing aspect of the thought.

disagreeable to entertain

Focuses on the unpleasantness of even considering the thought.

distressing to contemplate

Highlights the upsetting or troubling nature of the thought.

troubling to dwell on

Emphasizes the worrying or disturbing nature of continuous thought.

disconcerting to consider

Focuses on the unsettling or confusing aspect of the thought.

repugnant to consider

Emphasizes strong distaste or aversion toward the thought.

appalling to contemplate

Highlights the shocking or horrifying nature of the thought.

sickening to ponder

Emphasizes a strong feeling of disgust or nausea associated with the thought.

revolting to reflect upon

Emphasizes a strong feeling of disgust associated with the thought.

abhorrent to imagine

Highlights a feeling of strong aversion or revulsion.

FAQs

What does "ill to think" mean?

The phrase "ill to think" expresses a feeling of discomfort, unease, or disapproval towards a particular thought or idea. It suggests that the thought is unpleasant or disturbing to consider.

When is it appropriate to use "ill to think"?

This phrase is more appropriate in literary or formal contexts where an archaic tone is acceptable. In contemporary or informal settings, alternatives like "unpleasant to consider" or "distressing to contemplate" are generally preferred.

What are some alternatives to "ill to think"?

You can use alternatives like "unpleasant to consider", "distressing to contemplate", or "sickening to ponder" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "ill to think" grammatically correct?

Yes, "ill to think" is grammatically acceptable, though it's not commonly used in modern English. It follows a structure where "ill" functions as an adjective describing the state of mind in relation to the act of thinking.