she fell ill

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "She fell ill" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone becoming sick from an illness. For example: "My aunt was feeling unwell last week, and then she fell ill."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

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

When she was a young woman, she fell ill.

The New York Times

Prayers were uttered when she fell ill; prayers were unanswered.

The New Yorker

I started running to cope after she fell ill.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Everything would have gone differently had Ms. Schiavo made her intentions clear before she fell ill.

University of California, Berkeley

She seemed satisfied, but a day or two later she fell ill.

The New Yorker

She fell ill with typhus and there was nobody to take care of her.

The New Yorker

When she fell ill he engaged a skillful physician who gave her the best possible care.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "she fell ill" to describe the onset of an illness in a straightforward and neutral manner. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "she fell ill" when describing life-threatening or extremely serious medical situations. Opt for more descriptive language that accurately reflects the severity of the condition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she fell ill" functions as a simple declarative statement indicating the onset of sickness. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "she fell ill" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate that a female subject has become sick. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread acceptance across various sources, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. While generally neutral in register, its suitability may vary depending on the context, with more formal settings potentially benefiting from more precise terminology. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the onset of illness without exaggerating the severity of the condition. Consider related alternatives like "she became sick" or "she was taken ill" for nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she became sick

Replaces "fell ill" with a more general term for becoming unwell.

she took sick

Uses a different verb to describe the onset of illness.

she was taken ill

Emphasizes the suddenness or unexpected nature of the illness.

she contracted an illness

Highlights the acquisition of a specific illness.

she succumbed to illness

Suggests a more severe or debilitating form of illness.

she was diagnosed with an illness

Focuses on the medical identification of the illness.

her health declined

Emphasizes the gradual deterioration of health.

she suffered a health setback

Highlights a negative change in her health status.

she experienced a health crisis

Implies a sudden and severe health problem.

she was laid up with illness

Indicates that she was confined due to illness.

FAQs

How can I use "she fell ill" in a sentence?

You can use "she fell ill" to describe the onset of an illness. For example, "While on vacation, "she fell ill" and had to return home early."

What are some alternatives to "she fell ill"?

Alternatives include "she became sick", "she took sick", or "she was taken ill". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "she fell ill" formal or informal?

"She fell ill" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal settings might benefit from phrases like "she contracted an illness" for added precision.

Is it correct to say "she fell with illness"?

No, the correct phrase is ""she fell ill"". The preposition "with" is not typically used in this context.