seriously unwell

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'seriously unwell' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that someone is more ill than usual, with their health in a serious state. For example: "After a long battle with the flu, his condition had gotten so serious that he was now seriously unwell."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

The crowd quickly realised someone was seriously unwell.

The Guardian

"She was considered seriously unwell," the source said.

The Guardian

On another, a seriously unwell woman stabbed her repeatedly in the head with scissors.

The Guardian

You are giving seriously unwell people a much better chance of survival".

The Guardian

"He remains seriously unwell but he's bearing up with that illness," he said.

The Guardian

The first is where you've got someone who's seriously unwell and they're not responding to treatment.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

Justice Peter Jackson, who heard the Court of Protection case in London's Royal Courts of Justice, said he understood that Ms I was happy to have the operation but that since she is "obviously quite seriously psychiatrically unwell" she cannot give consent.

Independent

"If you're working a normal 9 5 job, people don't think there are people who are seriously mentally unwell in their midst," she says.

Vice

"If you're working a normal nine-to-five job, people don't think there are people who are seriously mentally unwell in their midst," she says.

Vice

"This research provides further evidence that this process can be seriously harmful, yet thousands of unwell individuals still have to endure it every week".

The Guardian

Almost all of those freed were elderly, disabled, or unwell, including a few seriously ill infants, Reuters reported.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's health condition, use "seriously unwell" to convey the severity of the illness without being overly dramatic or using medical jargon.

Common error

Avoid substituting "seriously unwell" with highly technical or clinical terms when communicating with a general audience. Using accessible language ensures clarity and empathy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seriously unwell" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun (typically a person) to describe their health condition. It indicates a state of significant illness beyond typical discomfort, as exemplified in Ludwig's sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Lifestyle

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "seriously unwell" is a common and correct adjectival phrase used to describe a state of significant illness. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. Primarily used in news and media and science, it serves to convey the severity of a health condition in a neutral to formal tone. When using this phrase, it's best to avoid overly clinical language and focus on clear, accessible communication. While alternatives like "gravely ill" or "critically ill" exist, "seriously unwell" offers a balanced and widely understood way to express the gravity of a person's health status.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gravely ill

Replaces "unwell" with "ill" and "seriously" with "gravely", both intensifying the severity.

critically ill

Emphasizes the critical nature of the illness.

dangerously sick

Substitutes "unwell" with "sick" and "seriously" with "dangerously", highlighting the perilous condition.

in a critical condition

Rephrases the phrase to focus on the condition rather than the state of being.

suffering from a severe illness

Uses a more descriptive and formal phrasing, focusing on the suffering caused by the illness.

fighting for their life

Highlights the life-threatening nature of the illness.

in grave danger

Shifts the focus to the danger posed by the illness.

having a life-threatening condition

Emphasizes the potential for mortality associated with the health status.

extremely sick

Uses a simpler vocabulary, replacing "seriously" with "extremely".

acutely unwell

Replaces "seriously" with "acutely" to indicate a sudden and severe onset of illness.

FAQs

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

You can use "seriously unwell" to describe someone experiencing a severe health condition. For example: "After contracting the virus, she became "seriously unwell" and required hospitalization."

What are some alternatives to saying "seriously unwell"?

Some alternatives include "gravely ill", "critically ill", or "dangerously sick" depending on the specific context and severity.

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

Yes, "seriously unwell" is appropriate in formal writing, especially when communicating health-related information to a general audience. More clinical terms can be used when addressing medical professionals.

What is the difference between "seriously unwell" and "slightly unwell"?

"Seriously unwell" indicates a severe and potentially life-threatening condition, while "slightly unwell" suggests a minor and temporary ailment. The former requires immediate medical attention, whereas the latter typically does not.