is he sick

USAGE SUMMARY

'is he sick' is a correct and usable sentence in written English.
You can use it when asking a question about the health of someone. For example, "I haven't heard from him in a few days. Is he sick?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

How is he sick?

The Guardian - Sport

You look at the patient and see, well, is he sick or not?

Health Policy and Planning

IS HE sick, or isn't he?

The Economist

"Is he sick?" "Can't you see for yourself?" said this new Helen, with her cold bleak face, not beautiful at all.

The New Yorker

Is he sick?" While I rack my brain for the right response, Toya Graham tells CBS NEWS that she "shields" her son "in the house, just so he won't go outside" because "he's 16 years old and into the streets".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Was he sick?

The New York Times

Why was he sick, he wondered?

The New York Times

So was he being sick?

BBC

He was sick, he could not drive a chariot.

Independent

"My brother is sick," he said.

The New Yorker

"The system is sick," he told me.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When inquiring about someone's health, consider the context and your relationship with the person. A simple "is he sick?" is appropriate in many situations, but more formal or empathetic language may be necessary in others.

Common error

Avoid using slang or overly casual expressions when inquiring about someone's health in a professional or formal setting. Stick to straightforward language like "is he unwell?" or "is he not feeling well?"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is he sick" serves as an interrogative clause, specifically a yes/no question. It seeks information about someone's current health status, inquiring whether they are experiencing illness. Ludwig's AI confirms its validity as a standard English question.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

23%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is he sick" is a common and grammatically correct question used to inquire about someone's health. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage in English. While suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and business, its register is generally neutral, suggesting the appropriateness of a more formal phrasing depending on the setting. Alternative phrases, such as "is he unwell" or "is he not well", can be used to adjust the level of formality. When using the phrase, consider the context and your relationship with the person you are asking about to ensure that your language is appropriate and respectful. Finally, remember to use "is he sick" when referring to an illness, not a physical injury.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is he unwell

Replaces "sick" with a more general term for not being in good health.

is he not well

Uses a negative construction to inquire about someone's well-being.

does he feel ill

Focuses on the subjective feeling of being sick.

is he feeling poorly

Uses "poorly" as an adverb to describe how someone is feeling.

is he under the weather

Uses an idiomatic expression for being slightly unwell.

has he taken ill

Inquires if someone has recently become sick.

is he ailing

Uses a more formal term for being sick or unwell.

is he in good health

Asks about someone's health status in a general way.

is he recovering

Asks if someone is in a recovery phase.

is he laid up

Uses an idiomatic way to ask if someone is confined because of illness.

FAQs

What's a polite way to ask "is he sick"?

Polite alternatives include "is he feeling unwell?", "is he not feeling well?", or "is he under the weather?", depending on the context and your relationship with the person.

What can I say instead of "is he sick" in a formal context?

In more formal situations, consider using phrases like "is he ailing?", "is he in good health?", or inquire about his condition using more elaborate phrasing such as "has he taken ill?".

How does "is he sick" differ from "is he injured"?

"Is he sick" refers to illness or disease, while "is he injured" refers to physical harm or trauma. Use "is he sick" when suspecting an illness and "is he injured" when suspecting a physical wound.

Is "is he sick" appropriate in professional settings?

While "is he sick" is generally understood, it might be better to use a more professional or considerate phrasing like "is he feeling unwell?" or inquire about his well-being more generally, depending on your relationship and workplace culture.