taken ill

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "taken ill" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means to become sick or unwell. You can use it in a sentence when describing someone becoming sick suddenly or unexpectedly. Example: Mary had to leave work early because she had taken ill and needed to go to the hospital.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Had the queen been taken ill?

The Economist

She was taken ill yesterday morning.

The New York Times

Somebody taken ill, a hurt animal?

The Guardian

However, he was taken ill and died in intensive care.

The Guardian

Within a few days, seven older adults had taken ill.

The New York Times

One person has been taken ill on the train".

The Guardian - Business

He was taken ill Friday night after a staff dinner.

The New York Times - Sports

Once, he was taken ill at the Labour Party Conference.

The Guardian

Then the French goalkeeper, Alex Thépot, was taken ill.

The Guardian - Sport

I didn't expect him to be taken ill.

The Guardian

He was taken ill in September and turned back to Goa.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "taken ill" to describe a sudden onset of sickness, particularly when the cause is unknown or unexpected.

Common error

Avoid using "taken ill" in highly formal scientific or business documents. While generally acceptable, consider alternatives like "became unwell" or "developed a condition" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "taken ill" functions as a passive construction indicating the act of becoming sick or unwell. It is typically used to describe someone who has suddenly experienced the onset of an illness. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples of its use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "taken ill" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone becoming sick, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's frequently used in news reports, encyclopedias, and general conversations to report an unexpected onset of illness. While the phrase is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "became unwell" or "developed a condition" may be preferred in certain contexts. Understanding its meaning and appropriate usage helps ensure clarity and precision in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became unwell

Replaces "taken ill" with a more direct synonym, focusing on the state of not being well.

fell sick

Uses a different verb to describe the onset of illness.

was struck down with illness

Emphasizes the sudden and debilitating nature of the illness.

succumbed to sickness

Implies a yielding to illness, often after a period of resistance.

contracted an illness

Focuses on acquiring the illness, suggesting a contagious disease.

developed a condition

A more formal way of saying someone became ill, often used in medical contexts.

became indisposed

A polite or formal way to say someone is unwell.

was laid up with

Suggests the illness confined the person to bed or home.

experienced a health problem

A general term for an onset of a medical issue.

was afflicted by a disease

Highlights the suffering caused by the illness.

FAQs

How can I use "taken ill" in a sentence?

You can use "taken ill" to describe someone suddenly becoming sick. For example: "She was "taken ill" during the meeting and had to leave early."

What's a more formal alternative to "taken ill"?

If you need a more formal way to say someone became sick, consider using phrases like "became unwell" or "developed a condition".

Is it correct to say "gotten ill" instead of "taken ill"?

While "gotten ill" is understandable, ""taken ill"" is a more traditional and often preferred phrasing, particularly in British English. "Gotten ill" is more common in American English.

What's the difference between "taken ill" and "became sick"?

"Taken ill" often implies a sudden or unexpected onset of illness, while "became sick" is a more general term for becoming unwell. Both are generally interchangeable but have subtle differences in connotation.