terribly ill

USAGE SUMMARY

"terribly ill" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is very sick. Example: His mother gets terribly ill every winter and has to stay in bed for days.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

He was terribly, terribly ill.

The New Yorker

One morning she got terribly ill.

The Guardian

"She was terribly ill," he says.

The Guardian - Sport

Or that one of them was terribly ill.

The New Yorker

Sharing her personal journey will of course hearten many terribly ill individuals.

The New York Times

She was 60 and terribly ill, spending her painful final weeks at St . Vincents Hospital Manhattan.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

The whole operation was terribly ill-considered from the beginning.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Mirror thought Houghton was "terribly ill-advised" to speak out.

The Guardian

This move was terribly ill-timed because other, larger manufacturers such as Hewlett-Packard and Texas Instruments (itself a leading designer of ICs) soon moved into the market with mass-produced calculators.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Many of our homes are terribly ill-equipped to cope with the cold, and so we need our garments to protect us from the elements in the ways our houses don't.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It's a terribly ill-conceived proposal.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "terribly ill", ensure the context clarifies the specific nature or impact of the illness on the individual or situation. Provide additional information about the symptoms, duration, or consequences to enhance understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "terribly ill" as a generic intensifier for mild discomfort. Reserve it for situations where the illness is genuinely severe and impactful. Use phrases like "slightly unwell" or "a bit under the weather" for less serious conditions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "terribly ill" functions as a descriptive expression, where the adverb "terribly" intensifies the adjective "ill". It modifies a noun (typically a person) to indicate a severe state of sickness. Ludwig examples show its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "terribly ill" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe a severe state of sickness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase. Its frequency across various sources, particularly News & Media, demonstrates its widespread applicability. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, it is important to reserve it for genuinely serious conditions, avoiding its overuse as a generic intensifier. When using "terribly ill", consider providing additional context to clarify the nature and impact of the illness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

critically ill

Highlights the precariousness and potential life-threatening nature of the illness.

in critical condition

Focuses on the medical status and immediate danger.

severely sick

Emphasizes the intensity of the sickness.

extremely sick

Simply intensifies the degree of sickness.

dangerously ill

Highlights the potential for a life-threatening outcome.

gravely sick

Implies a serious and worrying state of health.

seriously unwell

A more general term for being in poor health, but still indicates severity.

badly ailing

Suggests a prolonged period of poor health.

stricken with a severe illness

Focuses on the sudden and impactful onset of a serious disease.

grievously afflicted

Emphasizes the suffering and impact of the illness.

FAQs

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

You can use "terribly ill" to describe someone experiencing a severe state of sickness. For example: "She was "terribly ill" with pneumonia and had to be hospitalized."

What are some alternatives to "terribly ill"?

Alternatives include "severely sick", "critically ill", or "gravely sick". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey about the severity of the illness.

Is it appropriate to use "terribly ill" in formal writing?

Yes, "terribly ill" is appropriate for formal writing as long as the context warrants it. It's a straightforward way to describe a serious medical condition.

What's the difference between "terribly ill" and "slightly ill"?

"Terribly ill" indicates a severe and impactful sickness, while "slightly ill" suggests a minor and less concerning condition. One suggests a trip to the hospital, while the other may only require rest.