respiratory illnesses

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "respiratory illnesses" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing health conditions that affect the respiratory system, such as asthma, pneumonia, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Example: "During the winter months, respiratory illnesses tend to increase due to the cold weather and flu season."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

They grew sick, many with respiratory illnesses.

The New York Times

Many have chronic respiratory illnesses or cancer.

The Guardian

People with asthma recover very differently from respiratory illnesses.

The New York Times - Sports

Usually, it causes respiratory illnesses of various kinds and severity.

The New York Times

Mothers say that their children have chronic respiratory illnesses.

The New Yorker

"This would only further exacerbate respiratory illnesses in the city".

The New York Times

More people with respiratory illnesses are being admitted to two Hanoi hospitals with which the W.H.O.

The New York Times

How will it come into the broad spectrum of respiratory illnesses and infections for the future?

The New York Times

Most upper respiratory illnesses -- colds, bronchitis, ear infections, sore throats -- are viral, not bacterial.

The New York Times - Health

"And if you burn coal or wood indoors, the air becomes disgusting, causing respiratory illnesses".

The New York Times

More than 50,000 people died from respiratory illnesses and heat stress during that time.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about public health, use "respiratory illnesses" to refer to a range of conditions rather than focusing on specific diseases, ensuring broader coverage and relevance.

Common error

Avoid using "respiratory illnesses" interchangeably with specific symptoms like cough or shortness of breath. The former denotes a diagnosis, while the latter are merely indicators.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "respiratory illnesses" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a category of diseases that affect the respiratory system. Ludwig provides many examples where it appears in this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "respiratory illnesses" is a common and grammatically sound noun phrase used to refer to diseases affecting the respiratory system. As Ludwig AI indicates, its primary function is to classify and discuss health conditions related to breathing and lung function. It is most frequently encountered in news and media, as well as scientific contexts, maintaining a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, it is important to differentiate between the illnesses themselves and their symptoms. While alternatives like "lung diseases" or "breathing disorders" exist, "respiratory illnesses" remains a widely accepted and understood term for discussing this category of medical conditions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pulmonary diseases

Focuses specifically on diseases affecting the lungs, a subset of the respiratory system.

pulmonary conditions

A more general term encompassing various states and diseases related to the lungs.

lung ailments

Refers generally to any sickness or disorder affecting the lungs.

respiratory tract infections

Focuses specifically on infections of the respiratory tract.

lung disorders

A broad term for any irregularities or impairments of the lungs.

breathing disorders

Emphasizes the functional aspect of respiration being impaired.

breathing problems

Refers generally to difficulty or abnormalities in the process of breathing.

chest infections

Highlights infections occurring in the chest area, often involving the respiratory system.

airway diseases

Specifies diseases affecting the airways, such as asthma or bronchitis.

bronchial diseases

Specifically refers to diseases affecting the bronchi or bronchioles.

FAQs

How can I use "respiratory illnesses" in a sentence?

You can use "respiratory illnesses" to describe health conditions affecting the lungs and airways. For example, "Air pollution can exacerbate "respiratory illnesses", especially in children".

What are some alternative ways to refer to "respiratory illnesses"?

Depending on the context, you can use terms like "lung diseases", "breathing disorders", or "pulmonary conditions" as alternatives to "respiratory illnesses".

What is the difference between "respiratory illnesses" and "respiratory infections"?

"Respiratory illnesses" is a broader term encompassing any disease affecting the respiratory system, while "respiratory infections" specifically refers to illnesses caused by infectious agents like viruses or bacteria.

Are "respiratory illnesses" always contagious?

Not all "respiratory illnesses" are contagious. While infections like the flu and common cold are contagious, other conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are not.