more ill

USAGE SUMMARY

"more ill" is not a correct or usable phrase in written English.
You could use "more ill-disposed" or "more unwell" if you are describing someone's deteriorating health, but "more ill" is not an option. Example: Due to the virus, he was becoming more unwell each day.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

I became even more ill.

Independent

I'd got more ill.

The Guardian

Then they'll become more ill.

The Guardian

The effect was more ill than good.

The Guardian

And even more ill tidings loom.

The New York Times

He slept in the tent and got more ill.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

This could hardly be more ill-timed.

The New York Times - Sports

Moreover, such processes are poorly excited by standard experimental protocols, making identification even more ill-posed.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

Lunesta is even more ill-advised for older people, because it stays in the body longer.

Harvard University

Of all those linked to Titanic, Smith's daughter, Melville, was one of the more ill-fated.

Independent

The pressure to sell, and the uncertainty surrounding the team, could hardly be more ill-timed.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for "more unwell" or "sicker" instead of "more ill" for clarity and adherence to standard English. Using more common phrases ensures your writing is easily understood and avoids potential confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "more ill" as it's not a recognized comparative form in contemporary English. Remember that while "ill" is an adjective, its comparative form is generally "sicker".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more ill" functions as a comparative adjective, indicating a greater degree of illness. While Ludwig shows examples of its usage, it's generally advised to use alternatives like "more unwell" or "sicker" for better clarity and grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Academia

20%

Science

27%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "more ill" appears in various sources, including news, academic, and scientific contexts, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect in modern English. Ludwig's AI indicates a preference for alternatives such as "more unwell" or "sicker", which are more standard and clearer. Although "more ill" is relatively common, especially in news and media, opting for more conventional alternatives ensures better clarity and adherence to grammatical norms, particularly in formal writing. Therefore, it's advisable to use "more unwell" or "sicker" to effectively convey the intended meaning of worsening health.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more unwell

Direct synonym, replacing "ill" with a more standard term for being sick.

sicker

A simpler, more common comparative form of "sick".

increasingly sick

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of becoming more ill.

growing sicker

Highlights the gradual progression of the illness.

becoming more unhealthy

Focuses on the overall decline in health.

in poorer health

Describes the state of health in a comparative manner.

suffering more

Highlights the experience of increased suffering due to illness.

experiencing worsened health

Formal way to describe a decline in health condition.

deteriorating in health

Emphasizes the decaying nature of health status.

failing in health

Indicates a significant decline, almost near failure of health.

FAQs

What's a better alternative to "more ill"?

Instead of "more ill", use phrases like "more unwell" or "sicker". These are more commonly accepted and grammatically sound.

Is "more ill" grammatically correct?

While you might find examples of "more ill" in older texts or specific contexts, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect in modern English. It's better to opt for alternatives like "more unwell".

How can I use "more unwell" in a sentence?

You can use "more unwell" in sentences such as: "She became more unwell after the surgery" or "The patient is more unwell today than yesterday."

When should I use "more unwell" instead of "sicker"?

Both "more unwell" and "sicker" can be used interchangeably in many contexts. "more unwell" might be preferred in more formal settings, while "sicker" is more common in everyday conversation.