just plain sick

USAGE SUMMARY

"just plain sick" is correct and can be used in written English.
You might use it when you want to emphasize how very sick someone is, as in the following example: "Jim has been in the hospital for three weeks now - he's just plain sick."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

She says, "Most women seeking this are feeling less like a woman, and either ashamed of the way they look, or just plain sick of people feeling sorry for them.

The Guardian

A lot of the people who are leaving and have left recently were in charge of this dysfunctional process and are unable or unwilling or just plain sick of trying.

TechCrunch

Just plain sick!

Huffington Post

This guy is just plain sick -- one of those deformed creatures who can only find pleasure in someone else's pain.

Huffington Post

Most residents weren't alarmed by the theological dimension of the address — just plain sick of the hassle that comes along with being associated with it, Wilderman said.

Los Angeles Times

After days of single digit temperatures and sub-zero wind chills, many Americans are just plain sick and tired of winter weather.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Crazy like: The lovesick and the just-plain-sick.

Huffington Post

Also, never, EVER, EVER say something like "My Dad's just joined the army," as this REALLY HAS happened to some unfortunate children, and it would just be plain SICK of you to imitate this!

WikiHow

WHETHER the fault is rising levels of ill-health or just plain slacking, workers are taking more sick days than before.

The Economist

"Too often when trans kids speak out, they're told that they're sick, or joking, or just plain wrong," Ellison said.

The Guardian

And despite this her sick and perverse beauty regimen is just plain funny.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "just plain sick" to emphasize a strong feeling of illness or disgust, making sure the context supports this intensity. For example, "After days of rain, I was just plain sick of being indoors."

Common error

Avoid using "just plain sick" too frequently, as it can sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms or more specific descriptions of the feeling you want to convey.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just plain sick" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of being. It serves to intensify the feeling of sickness or disgust. Ludwig confirms this usage is appropriate and understood.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

29%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "just plain sick" is an adjective phrase used to express a strong feeling of illness, disgust, or exasperation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is acceptable in English. While grammatically correct, it leans towards informal usage and should be used judiciously in formal settings. Its frequency is uncommon, with the primary contexts being news and media, wikis, and science-related articles. When aiming for variety, related phrases such as "sick and tired" or "utterly fed up" can offer similar, yet nuanced expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sick and tired

A common idiom expressing exasperation and fatigue.

utterly fed up

Changes the focus to frustration and boredom instead of illness.

thoroughly disgusted

Shifts the meaning to revulsion or strong dislike.

downright disgusted

Similar to "thoroughly disgusted" but with stronger emphasis.

completely weary

Emphasizes exhaustion and lack of energy.

absolutely tired of

Highlights being bored and impatient with something.

really had enough

Conveys a sense of reaching a limit or breaking point.

awfully weary

Like "completely weary" but with an emphasis on the degree of tiredness

genuinely unwell

Focuses specifically on a state of poor health.

plain tired

Simplifies the expression, focusing solely on fatigue.

FAQs

What does "just plain sick" mean?

It means extremely ill or intensely disgusted/exasperated with something. The intensity of the expression is what makes it unique.

When is it appropriate to use "just plain sick"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize a strong feeling of illness or disgust. For lighter situations, consider alternatives like "slightly unwell" or "a bit tired".

What can I say instead of "just plain sick"?

You can use alternatives like "sick and tired", "utterly fed up", or "thoroughly disgusted" depending on the context.

Is "just plain sick" formal or informal?

It is generally considered informal, best suited for casual conversation or personal writing. Avoid using it in formal or professional contexts where more neutral language is preferred.