really ill

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "really ill" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the severity of someone's illness or health condition. Example: "After the flu, she felt really ill for several days and struggled to get out of bed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I felt really ill.

The Guardian

Is Bert really ill?

The Guardian

I got really, really ill.

The Guardian - Film

She suspects that he's not really ill.

The New Yorker

'I was getting really ill,' Anderson finishes.

The Guardian - Music

She says, 'Maybe I'm not really ill.

The Guardian - Opinion

"He is really ill," he said.

The Guardian

"Presumably the wasps felt really ill," Dr. Schlenke said.

The New York Times - Science

She had a lot of affairs and got really ill.

The Guardian - Music

'He got really ill,' Nicola explained with unsuppressed glee.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Five years ago, though, I started to feel really ill.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's health condition, use "really ill" to emphasize the severity of their sickness. It's more impactful than simply saying "ill".

Common error

While "really ill" is acceptable, avoid overusing "really" with other adjectives. Vary your language by using more specific and descriptive words to convey the intensity of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "really ill" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of severe sickness or poor health. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "really ill" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjectival phrase to describe a severe state of sickness. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. It is used to emphasize the intensity of the illness, making it more impactful than simply stating someone is "ill". While its register is mostly neutral, it appears most frequently in news and media, and scientific contexts. When writing, be mindful not to overuse the word "really" and consider varying your language with stronger, more descriptive adjectives to enhance your descriptions. Alternatives such as "very sick" or "extremely unwell" are excellent alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very sick

Replaces "ill" with "sick", a common synonym, while maintaining the same intensity.

extremely unwell

Substitutes "ill" with "unwell" and "really" with "extremely" for added emphasis.

seriously sick

Emphasizes the gravity of the illness by using "seriously" instead of "really".

gravely ill

Indicates a severe and potentially life-threatening illness.

terribly sick

Uses "terribly" to convey a high degree of sickness.

acutely ill

Suggests a sudden and severe onset of illness.

badly diseased

Focuses on the presence of a serious disease affecting health.

in critical condition

Indicates a life-threatening state of health requiring immediate medical attention.

suffering severely

Highlights the intense suffering caused by the illness.

dangerously sick

Implies a level of sickness that poses a risk to one's life.

FAQs

What does "really ill" mean?

The phrase "really ill" means severely sick or unwell. It's used to emphasize the intensity of the illness.

What can I say instead of "really ill"?

You can use alternatives like "very sick", "extremely unwell", or "seriously ill" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "really ill"?

Yes, "really ill" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a severe state of sickness. It's perfectly acceptable in both spoken and written English.

How to use "really ill" in a sentence?

You can use "really ill" in a sentence like, "She was "really ill" with the flu and had to stay home from work."