is sick

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is sick" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is unwell or to express that something is impressive or cool in informal contexts. Example: "She is sick with the flu and needs to rest at home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

This is sick".

The New Yorker

Lake Erie is sick.

The New York Times - Science

The husband is sick.

The New Yorker

"He is sick.

BBC

She is sick.

The New York Times

"My husband is sick".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

You're sick, sick".

The New Yorker

"If I'm sick, they're sick.

The New York Times

Some are sick.

The New Yorker

"He just was sick".

The New York Times - Sports

Agent: "You are sick?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is sick" in informal contexts to mean "cool" or "awesome", be mindful of your audience, as this usage may not be universally understood or appreciated.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by clarifying the context when using "is sick". For example, specify "is sick with the flu" to prevent misinterpretation when you mean illness rather than approval.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is sick" primarily functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state of being unwell. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, it also serves as a predicate adjective in informal contexts to express approval or admiration, meaning something is cool or excellent.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is sick" is a versatile expression with meanings ranging from describing a state of illness to conveying approval in informal contexts. As Ludwig AI explains, its grammatical correctness and wide usage are well-supported by examples from diverse sources like news media, formal documents, and wikis. While generally acceptable, context is crucial to avoid ambiguity. When referring to health, it's relatively neutral, but its slang usage leans towards informality. Being mindful of the audience and clarifying intent can enhance effective communication. Related phrases like "is unwell" or "is ill" provide safer alternatives in professional settings, while "is awesome" directly conveys approval.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is unwell

Replaces "sick" with a more formal synonym indicating poor health.

is ill

A common and direct synonym for "is sick", indicating a state of poor health.

is not well

A slightly more verbose way of saying "is sick", focusing on the absence of good health.

is feeling poorly

Emphasizes the subjective experience of being sick.

is under the weather

An idiomatic expression for feeling slightly unwell.

is diseased

Indicates a medical condition or ailment.

is nauseated

Specifies the symptom of feeling sick to one's stomach.

is jaded with

Expresses being tired or bored of something, reflecting one of the informal meanings of "sick".

is tired of

Focuses on the feeling of weariness or disgust towards something, similar to being "sick of" it.

is excellent

Mirrors the slang usage of "sick" to mean impressive or outstanding.

FAQs

How can I use "is sick" in a sentence?

You can use "is sick" to describe someone who is not feeling well, as in "She "is sick" with a cold". It can also be used informally to mean something is cool or impressive, such as "That new song "is sick"!".

What's the difference between "is sick" and "is ill"?

"Is sick" and "is ill" are often interchangeable, both indicating poor health. However, "is ill" /s/is+ill may be perceived as slightly more formal than "is sick" /s/is+sick.

What can I say instead of "is sick" when referring to being tired of something?

If you mean you are tired or bored of something, you can use alternatives like "is tired of", "is fed up with", or "is jaded with" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "is sick" to mean "cool" or "awesome"?

Using "is sick" to mean "cool" or "awesome" is appropriate in informal settings, especially among younger people or in specific subcultures. However, it's best to avoid this usage in formal or professional contexts where it may not be understood or appreciated.