she was sick

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence 'she was sick' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a person's physical condition. For example: "Sally missed school yesterday because she was sick."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Even after she was sick.

The New York Times - Books

But she was sick, and getting worse.

The New Yorker

She was sick with Huntington's disease.

The New Yorker

After the ceremony, she was sick.

Independent

She was sick a lot.

The New York Times

She was sick for two weeks.

The New York Times

Corrie said, "I didn't know she was sick".

The New Yorker

Probably just as well if she was sick.

The New Yorker

Then somebody asked her about rumors that she was sick.

The New Yorker

She didn't know she was sick with lung cancer yet.

The New York Times - Magazine

One afternoon she was sick and coughing again.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "she was sick", consider adding details about the nature or severity of the illness for clarity. For example, "She was sick with the flu" or "She was sick and unable to attend the meeting".

Common error

Avoid simply stating "she was sick" without providing any context or details, as it can leave the reader wondering about the severity and nature of the illness. Provide relevant information to give a clearer picture.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she was sick" functions as a statement of condition, indicating that a female subject was experiencing illness. This usage is supported by numerous examples provided by Ludwig, confirming its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "she was sick" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate that a female subject experienced an illness. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While generally neutral in tone, providing additional details about the nature or severity of the illness enhances clarity. Alternative phrases like "she felt unwell" or "she had an illness" offer similar meanings with subtle nuances. When using the phrase, avoid vagueness by including context, such as the duration or specific symptoms of the sickness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she was not feeling well

A more general way to express feeling ill.

she felt unwell

Emphasizes the subjective feeling of being ill.

she had a health problem

A broad term indicating a medical issue.

she had an illness

Focuses on the presence of a diagnosed condition.

she was ailing

Suggests a prolonged period of poor health.

she was under the weather

An idiomatic expression indicating a mild illness.

she contracted a virus

Specifies the cause of the illness as a viral infection.

she suffered from a disease

Highlights a more serious or chronic health issue.

she was indisposed

A formal way of saying someone is unavailable due to illness.

she was hospitalized

Indicates that her illness required hospital care.

FAQs

What does "she was sick" mean?

The phrase "she was sick" means that a female person was experiencing a health problem, illness, or disease.

What are some alternative ways to say "she was sick"?

You can use alternatives like "she felt unwell", "she had an illness", or "she was under the weather" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use the phrase "she was sick" in formal writing?

Yes, "she was sick" is generally acceptable in formal writing. However, for greater precision, consider specifying the illness or condition if known.

How can I provide more context when saying "she was sick"?

You can add details such as the duration of the illness (e.g., "she was sick for a week"), the symptoms she experienced (e.g., "she was sick with a fever and cough"), or the impact of the illness (e.g., "she was sick and unable to work").