she falls ill

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she falls ill" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where a person becomes sick or unwell, often in a narrative or descriptive context. Example: "As the story unfolds, she falls ill, prompting her friends to rally around her for support."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

But they switched careers and became scientists in order to try to cure Vallabh before she falls ill.

MIT Technology Review

For example, a mother of a large family may find it difficult to cope with preparing for a festival, if she falls ill at the same time".

The Guardian

One of the young men tentatively raises his hand to ask, "Every time I have sex with my wife, she falls ill.

The Guardian

When she falls ill in Kahlo's house during her visit to Mexico, she gets tucked up without hesitation in Diego Rivera's own bed.

The Guardian - Music

At 59, she says her own health is "not pristine"; she's not sure she could find a new job that offers insurance; and without coverage herself, what would happen to her sons if she falls ill or even dies?

The Washington Post

She falls ill; she collapses onto her hands and knees; the screen gives way as the curtain opens and there is fibreglass Claudia, 20ft high, vomiting out the first singer.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Common themes were merged (for example, "she fell ill" and "she became sick" were coded into the same category of "falling ill").

BMC Women's Health

She fell ill.

The New Yorker

She fell ill straight away.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

For months, she fell ill at work.

The Washington Post

She fell ill and died in Lucknow in 1901.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "she falls ill" when you want to subtly emphasize the sudden or unexpected onset of an illness, especially in narrative contexts.

Common error

While "she falls ill" is acceptable, avoid consistently using outdated or overly formal language in modern writing. Choose synonyms like "gets sick" or "becomes ill" for a more contemporary feel.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she falls ill" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of an illness. As shown by Ludwig, it describes the action of becoming sick. The structure typically involves a subject ("she") followed by the verb "falls" and the adjective "ill".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "she falls ill" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the onset of sickness, carrying a slightly more formal tone. Ludwig indicates its primary function is descriptive, commonly found in news, encyclopedias, and general narratives. While alternatives like "she gets sick" exist, "she falls ill" offers a particular nuance, emphasizing the unexpected nature of the sickness. Although acceptable, remember to adapt your language choices to the register of the context in order not to sound too archaic or excessively formal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she becomes sick

Replaces "falls ill" with a more common synonym, "becomes sick".

she gets sick

Uses the more informal "gets sick" in place of "falls ill".

she is taken ill

Emphasizes the suddenness of the illness with "is taken ill".

she succumbs to illness

Implies a yielding or submission to the illness.

she contracts a disease

Specifies that she has caught or acquired a disease.

she is diagnosed with an illness

Focuses on the medical diagnosis of her condition.

her health deteriorates

Highlights the decline in her overall health condition.

her condition worsens

Indicates that her existing health issue is getting more serious.

she experiences a health setback

Describes the illness as a reversal in her health progress.

she ails

Uses a more archaic term, "ails", to describe her state of being unwell.

FAQs

What does "she falls ill" mean?

The phrase "she falls ill" means that a female person becomes sick or unwell. It's a slightly formal way of describing the onset of an illness.

What can I say instead of "she falls ill"?

You can use alternatives like "she gets sick", "she becomes ill", or "she is taken ill" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "she falls ill"?

Yes, "she falls ill" is grammatically correct. It is a slightly more formal or literary way of saying that someone becomes sick.

What is the difference between "she falls ill" and "she gets sick"?

"She falls ill" is slightly more formal and literary, implying a sudden or unexpected onset of illness. "She gets sick" is more common and informal.