sick animals

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sick animals" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to animals that are ill or unwell, often in veterinary or animal care contexts. Example: "The veterinarian examined the sick animals and provided the necessary treatment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Sick animals do not have babies".

The New York Times

A good example is the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals.

The Guardian

"I've always had an attachment to sick animals," she said.

The New York Times

All had been in contact with sick animals.

The Economist

She is also president of the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals.

The Guardian

If animals grazed in fields where sick animals had urinated, they might become infected.

The New York Times - Health

The disease spread as the remains of sick animals were processed into feed for other livestock.

The Guardian

Health officials have cautioned people not to release sick animals into the wild.

The New York Times

Mosquitoes infect livestock and people; people butchering sick animals can be infected, too.

The New York Times - Science

The dairy uses no artificial growth hormones, but it treats sick animals with antibiotics.

The New York Times

Humans catch the viruses from exposure to the blood and secretions of sick animals.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing animal health, be specific about the type of illness affecting the "sick animals" if possible. For instance, instead of saying "sick animals", you might say "animals with respiratory infections".

Common error

Avoid using "sick animals" as a catch-all term without further investigation. Properly diagnosing the illness is crucial for effective treatment and prevention.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sick animals" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "sick" is an adjective modifying the noun "animals". Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its use in describing the state of health of animals.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sick animals" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to animals experiencing illness. According to Ludwig, this phrase is widely used in both scientific and news contexts, indicating a neutral register. When using "sick animals", it's helpful to provide specific details about the type of illness when possible. While the phrase is widely accepted, remember to avoid overgeneralization and focus on accurate diagnoses for effective animal care. Consider alternatives like "ailing animals" or "diseased animals" depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ailing animals

Replaces "sick" with a synonym indicating a state of poor health.

diseased animals

Focuses on the presence of a specific disease affecting the animals.

animals with illnesses

Uses a more descriptive phrase to convey the same meaning.

unhealthy animals

Emphasizes the lack of good health in the animals.

animals suffering from disease

Highlights the suffering caused by the disease.

infirm animals

Suggests weakness or frailty due to illness.

animals requiring veterinary care

Shifts the focus to the need for medical attention.

animals affected by disease

Emphasizes the impact of the disease on the animals.

compromised animals

Indicates a weakened immune system or overall health.

animals in poor health

A general term indicating a state of less than optimal well-being.

FAQs

How can I use "sick animals" in a sentence?

You can use "sick animals" to describe animals that are experiencing illness. For example, "The veterinarian is treating the "sick animals" at the farm".

What are some alternatives to saying "sick animals"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "ailing animals", "diseased animals", or "unhealthy animals".

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

Yes, "sick animals" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly in scientific or veterinary contexts. However, consider providing more specific details about the animals' conditions when possible.

What is the difference between "sick animals" and "infected animals"?

"Sick animals" is a general term for animals experiencing any kind of illness. "Infected animals" specifically refers to animals that have a disease caused by a pathogen like a virus or bacteria.