seriously sick

USAGE SUMMARY

"seriously sick" is a grammatically correct phrase that is commonly used in written English.
It is typically used as an adjective phrase to describe someone who is very ill or in poor health. Example: "The doctor told us that my grandmother is seriously sick and may need to be hospitalized." In this sentence, "seriously sick" describes the level of illness that the person's grandmother is experiencing. It could also be used in a sentence like "The flu is going around and many people are getting seriously sick."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

And if the person is seriously sick they can operate and take out that sickness and the person survives.

Global Health Action

"Now, I am seriously sick," he said.

The New York Times

Ed Gein seriously sick in the head 2.

The Guardian

Your neighbor is seriously sick and has just lost a pet.

The New York Times - Magazine

But nobody disputes that Mr. Moser was, and remains, seriously sick.

The New York Times

What would he have been willing to pay for that prescription?To the seriously sick, effective medical care is priceless.

The Economist

It is a "serious" work: seriously funny, seriously sharp, seriously sick, and, to borrow Andrew Motion's construction, seriously serious.

The Guardian - Books

"Some people who may have eaten at Taco Bell haven't got sick, or at least not seriously sick.

The New York Times

They included two gravely ill women, 40 and 47, but not all were seriously sick, the authorities have said.

The New York Times

After falling ill, Duncan was first turned away from hospital, before being admitted two days later when he became more seriously sick.

The Guardian

It comes from poverty, from too little food, not enough vitamins, from more difficult access to health care -- the children are sick more often, and more seriously sick".

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a patient's condition, use "seriously sick" to convey the severity of the illness without being overly dramatic. Always prioritize clear and accurate communication.

Common error

While "seriously sick" is appropriate in many contexts, avoid overuse. Vary your language with alternatives like "gravely ill" or "critically ill" to maintain reader engagement and precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seriously sick" functions primarily as an adjective phrase modifying a noun (usually a person) to describe their state of health. It indicates a significant degree of illness. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "seriously sick" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe someone experiencing a significant level of illness. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage as an adjective phrase. It's most frequently found in news and media, followed by scientific publications, indicating a neutral to slightly formal register. While versatile, it's advisable to vary your language with synonyms like "gravely ill" or "critically ill" in extended writing to maintain reader engagement. Remember to use the phrase when conveying the severity of a medical condition is paramount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely sick

Emphasizes the intensity of the sickness.

gravely ill

Highlights the serious and potentially life-threatening nature of the illness.

critically ill

Indicates a severe illness requiring intensive medical care.

severely unwell

A more formal way of saying seriously sick.

badly ailing

Highlights the process of declining health.

in critical condition

Focuses on the patient's state and the urgency of the situation.

fighting for their life

Emphasizes the life-threatening aspect of the sickness.

on death's door

An idiomatic expression indicating being close to death.

at death's door

An idiomatic expression indicating being close to death.

in dire straits

Refers to a critical situation, including severe illness.

FAQs

What does "seriously sick" mean?

The phrase "seriously sick" describes a state of significant illness or poor health, indicating that a person's condition is severe and requires medical attention.

What can I say instead of "seriously sick"?

You can use alternatives like "extremely sick", "gravely ill", or "critically ill" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "seriously sick" in formal writing?

Yes, "seriously sick" is generally acceptable in formal writing, though alternatives like "severely unwell" might be preferred in some contexts for added formality.

How does "seriously sick" compare to "slightly ill"?

"Seriously sick" indicates a severe condition needing medical intervention, whereas "slightly ill" suggests a minor ailment that may resolve on its own without significant treatment.