suffering from a cold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "suffering from a cold" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone who is experiencing the symptoms of a cold, such as a runny nose, cough, or sore throat. Example: "She stayed home from work today because she is suffering from a cold."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Elena Tonra is suffering from a cold.

The Guardian - Music

(She may have been suffering from a cold, for she had to sip water repeatedly).

The New York Times - Arts

Backstage, Charley is suffering from a cold and drinking mineral water.

The Guardian - Music

Apparently he was still suffering from a cold that had troubled him in Chicago.

The New York Times - Arts

And the baritone singing Scarpia, George Gagnidze, was suffering from a cold.

The New York Times

You've no doubt experienced a temporary disruption in smell and taste while suffering from a cold or sinus infection.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

The result surprised her, Stephens said, especially because she was suffering from a head cold and itchy throat.

The New York Times

The concert was enjoyably loose, with Mr. Cave suffering from a slight cold and forgetting the words to two songs.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Kirk, suffering from a nasty cold, canceled a Friday night appearance at a football game but recovered in time to attend church services in Houston.

The New York Times

Robinson, who is asthmatic, has been advised not to put too much strain on his damaged vocal cords while suffering from a heavy cold.

The Guardian

The interval was timely, though, for it gave Mariusz Kwiecień, singing the role of Roger and suffering from a heavy cold, the chance to marshal his vocal resources.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's condition, consider the level of formality required. While "suffering from a cold" is generally acceptable, "having a cold" might be more appropriate in informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using overly formal language in casual conversation. While grammatically correct, "suffering from a cold" might sound stilted in everyday speech. In such scenarios consider using the alternative phrase "having a cold" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suffering from a cold" functions as a verb phrase followed by a prepositional phrase, describing a state of illness. It indicates that someone is experiencing the unpleasant symptoms associated with a common cold, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "suffering from a cold" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone experiencing the symptoms of a cold. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "having a cold" offer simpler phrasing, "suffering from a cold" effectively conveys the discomfort associated with the illness. When writing, consider the context and desired level of formality to choose the most appropriate phrasing. The phrase's frequency and diverse usage demonstrate its reliability and versatility in describing this common ailment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

having a cold

This alternative is a more concise and common way to express the same idea.

afflicted with a cold

This alternative uses a slightly more formal and less frequent verb.

down with a cold

This alternative is more informal and suggests being incapacitated by the cold.

battling a cold

This alternative implies a struggle against the cold, emphasizing the effort to recover.

unwell with a cold

This alternative focuses on the general feeling of being unwell due to the cold.

experiencing a cold

This alternative is a more neutral and descriptive way to state the condition.

affected by a cold

This alternative suggests that the cold is having an impact on the person.

laid up with a cold

This alternative is more colloquial and implies being confined due to the cold.

under the weather with a cold

This alternative uses an idiom to describe feeling ill with a cold.

nursing a cold

This alternative suggests actively trying to recover from the cold.

FAQs

What is the most common way to say "suffering from a cold"?

A more common and simpler way to express "suffering from a cold" is "having a cold". This alternative is widely used in everyday conversation and writing.

Is it correct to say "suffer from a cold"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "suffer from a cold". However, "suffering from a cold" is also acceptable and implies a continuous state.

What are some informal ways to say "suffering from a cold"?

Informal alternatives include "down with a cold" or "under the weather with a cold", which are more colloquial and suggest a mild illness.

How does "suffering from a cold" differ from "having a cold"?

While both phrases are similar, "suffering from a cold" emphasizes the discomfort and negative impact of the cold, whereas "having a cold" is a more neutral description.