terrible illness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "terrible illness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a serious or severe health condition that causes significant suffering or distress. Example: "After being diagnosed with a terrible illness, she decided to focus on her health and well-being."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

I know it all too well – I nursed my husband through a long and terrible illness – and very ill people of any age tend to stink of it, young ones as well as old ones.

The Guardian - Opinion

I remembered how hard I tried to find hope in each terrible illness they ruled out.

The New York Times

Over the past year of Jon's terrible illness, his bravery, nobility, and grace were extraordinary.

The New York Times

The cure for someone else's terrible illness could start with a swab rubbed in the cheek of a stranger.

The New York Times

That leaves Roy fighting a terrible illness while trying to unravel a past that seems ever more mysterious.

The New Yorker

After an excursion up the Amazon, Rachel contracts a terrible illness that plunges her into delirium and then death.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Without that change, many Amish and Mennonite children will continue to have these terrible illnesses.

The New York Times

That set, in which Notaro talked about everything that had happened to her, changed her life more than either of her terrible illnesses.

The Guardian

On the plus side, I didn't have to hear nightmarish stories about the Holocaust, the pogroms, terrible illnesses, painful deaths.

The New Yorker

Instead of giving them terrible illnesses it of course turns them into Übermenschen of various sorts, though only Johnny's new abilities are an unmixed blessing: by shouting "Flame on!" he converts himself into a flying ball of fire.

The Guardian

"Surveys of both patients and physicians show that direct-to-consumer advertising leads patients who would otherwise go without medical care for these terrible illnesses to seek treatment for the first time".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "terrible illness" to convey the gravity of a health situation, especially when discussing the need for medical intervention or support.

Common error

While "terrible illness" effectively conveys severity, avoid using it excessively without providing specific details or context. Overuse can diminish its impact and make your writing seem less genuine. Use it strategically to emphasize the gravity of a particular situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "terrible illness" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "terrible" modifies the noun "illness". It's used to describe the nature or condition of the illness. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "terrible illness" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to describe a severe and distressing health condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s suitable for various contexts, from news reports to personal narratives. While alternatives like "serious disease" or "grave condition" exist, "terrible illness" specifically emphasizes the suffering involved. When using this phrase, providing context and specific details can enhance its impact. It's important to be aware of overuse and the need to maintain authenticity in your writing. With a high frequency in news and media sources, "terrible illness" remains a relevant and impactful way to describe significant health challenges.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serious disease

Focuses on the severity of the medical condition.

grave condition

Highlights the seriousness and potential danger of the health issue.

severe malady

A more formal way of describing a serious illness.

critical ailment

Emphasizes the critical nature of the medical problem.

debilitating sickness

Highlights the weakening effects of the illness.

life-threatening disease

Focuses on the potential for the illness to cause death.

acute health crisis

Emphasizes the sudden and severe nature of the health problem.

chronic progressive disease

Highlights the long-term and worsening nature of the condition.

terminal condition

Implies the illness is incurable and will lead to death.

affliction

A broad term indicating a cause of persistent pain or distress.

FAQs

How can I use "terrible illness" in a sentence?

"Terrible illness" is used to describe a severe and distressing health condition. For example, "The doctor diagnosed him with a "terrible illness", requiring immediate treatment".

What are some alternatives to saying "terrible illness"?

You can use phrases like "serious disease", "grave condition", or "severe malady" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "terrible illness" in formal writing?

Yes, "terrible illness" is acceptable in formal writing, especially when emphasizing the severity of a health condition. However, consider more formal alternatives like "severe malady" or "critical ailment" for a more refined tone.

What's the difference between "terrible illness" and "serious illness"?

While both describe significant health problems, "terrible illness" often implies a greater degree of suffering and distress compared to "serious illness".