nursing a cold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nursing a cold" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when someone is recovering from a cold. For example, "John has been nursing a cold for the past week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

But she is nursing a cold and was pleased to hear that classes were canceled.

The New York Times - Sports

Her low register seemed a little patchy here, though she may have been nursing a cold.

The New York Times - Arts

Him nursing a cold one, his scythe leaning against the counter.

The New York Times

Mr. Shicoff, who was nursing a cold on opening night, sounded better on Friday.

The New York Times - Arts

"Don't worry," the official playing the United Kingdom, who was nursing a cold, said.

The New Yorker

"It's the architect in me," he says, nursing a cold over Japanese tea in Cambridge, Mass., where he lives.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Elina Garanca, the Latvian mezzo-soprano who was also making her Met debut ("the real thing" The Times raved after opening night), nursed a cold, too.

The New York Times - Magazine

To call something wrong is to cancel out someone else's truth". Although I caught up with Chokshi as she nursed a cold between school visits and bookstore appearances for the book, she was full of excitement.

Los Angeles Times

Mr. Kaufmann, nursing a bad cold, was absent that day.

The New York Times - Arts

At the back of the eight-seater plane was the Spanish megastar Alejandro Sanz, scratching out his own speech, his girlfriend next to him, in a leggy bundle, nursing a bad cold.

The New York Times - Magazine

And John Napier, the dynamic, wry, headstrong British scenic designer responsible for the helicopter in "Miss Saigon," the barricade in "Les Miserables" and the outsize junkyard in "Cats," indulges a foul mood, nursing a nasty cold and wishing he were back home in England, attending to the renovation of his artist's studio, rather than slogging through the installation of a Broadway set.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "nursing a cold", ensure the context clearly indicates someone is actively taking care of themselves while experiencing cold symptoms, such as resting or taking medication. For example, "She's "nursing a cold" by staying in bed and drinking herbal tea".

Common error

Avoid using "nursing a cold" to simply state someone has a cold; it implies active self-care. Instead of saying, "He's "nursing a cold", so he can't come", clarify either that he has a cold, or that he is actively resting to recover.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nursing a cold" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of actively tending to oneself while suffering from a cold. It describes a process of self-care. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Arts

10%

Lifestyle

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "nursing a cold" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the act of actively taking care of oneself while experiencing cold symptoms. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted and understood. It's primarily used in neutral and informal contexts, particularly in news, lifestyle, and casual conversations. Related phrases include "recovering from a cold" or "treating a cold". Remember that "nursing a cold" implies active self-care, and should not be used simply to indicate that someone has a cold. Its communicative purpose emphasizes that an individual is actively trying to get better.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

recovering from a cold

Focuses on the process of getting better after having a cold.

treating a cold

Emphasizes the actions taken to alleviate the symptoms of a cold.

managing a cold

Highlights the effort to control the effects and symptoms of a cold.

battling a cold

Implies a struggle against the discomfort and effects of a cold.

fighting off a cold

Suggests an active effort to prevent a cold from worsening or lasting longer.

remedying a cold

Focuses on the remedies used to alleviate the symptoms.

caring for a cold

Implies a comprehensive approach of tending and alleviating the cold symptoms.

riding out a cold

Suggests enduring the duration of the cold with minimal intervention.

taking it easy with a cold

Highlights the importance of rest and relaxation while experiencing cold symptoms.

dealing with a cold

A general way of stating that one is experiencing and managing a cold.

FAQs

What does "nursing a cold" mean?

"Nursing a cold" means actively taking care of oneself while experiencing cold symptoms, typically by resting, hydrating, and taking medication.

What can I say instead of "nursing a cold"?

You can use alternatives like "recovering from a cold", "treating a cold", or "managing a cold" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "nursing a cold" in formal writing?

While "nursing a cold" is widely understood, it is more suitable for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider using "recovering from a cold" or "undergoing treatment for a cold".

What's the difference between "nursing a cold" and "having a cold"?

"Having a cold" simply indicates that someone is experiencing cold symptoms. "Nursing a cold" implies that the person is actively taking care of themselves to alleviate the symptoms and recover.