took ill

USAGE SUMMARY

"took ill" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used when talking about a person developing an illness suddenly. For example: "Yesterday, the Prime Minister took ill and is currently being treated at the hospital."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Miss Treadway took ill and died.

The New Yorker

The father was deported, took ill, and died.

The New Yorker

"The previous smoker, he took ill," Mr. Rayman said.

The New York Times

Twomey took ill during the first and his co-accused were acquitted.

Independent

She took ill and died during the course of the difficult voyage.

The New York Times

"As I was with her the night she took ill, I am believed to be exposed.

The New Yorker

But when Henry Longhurst took ill, Whitaker was asked to replace him at the 16th hole.

The New York Times - Sports

His best liked servant, Johnson, took ill and was sent to the hospital.

The New Yorker

They were his first comments on international issues since Mr. Castro took ill last July.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

They took ill-advised shots, turned the ball over and missed free throws.

The New York Times - Sports

He was driven insane as a result of drugs fed to him by Stenmin, and at his urging, took control of Callahorn when his father 'took ill'.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "took ill" to describe a sudden onset of sickness, especially in formal or literary contexts. Consider your audience and the desired tone when choosing between "took ill" and more common alternatives like "became sick".

Common error

Avoid using "took ill" in very casual conversations; simpler phrases like "got sick" or "felt unwell" are more appropriate for everyday speech.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "took ill" functions as a verb phrase indicating the sudden onset of illness. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Examples from Ludwig show its use in describing unexpected health problems.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Formal & Business

12%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Science

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "took ill" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression indicating a sudden onset of sickness. Ludwig AI confirms this. It is versatile enough for formal and informal contexts, though simpler alternatives may be more appropriate for casual conversation. The phrase appears frequently in news, business, and encyclopedia sources. While "took ill" effectively conveys the beginning of an ailment, writers should consider alternatives like ""became sick"" or ""fell ill"" depending on the audience and situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became sick

Replaces "took ill" with a more general term for becoming unwell.

fell ill

Offers a slightly more formal alternative with the same core meaning.

was taken sick

Similar in meaning to "took ill", but with a slightly different grammatical structure.

became unwell

Substitutes "sick" with a gentler term, indicating a state of not being well.

developed an illness

Provides a more descriptive phrase, specifying the development of an illness.

was stricken with

Conveys a sudden and often severe onset of illness.

experienced a sudden illness

Highlights the abrupt nature of the onset of the illness.

succumbed to illness

Suggests a yielding to the effects of an illness, often implying a weakened state.

suffered a bout of illness

Implies a temporary period of sickness.

contracted a disease

Focuses on the acquisition of a specific disease or ailment.

FAQs

What does "took ill" mean?

"Took ill" means that someone suddenly became sick or unwell. It's a slightly more formal way of saying someone "became sick" or "fell ill".

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

You can use "took ill" to describe someone who suddenly became sick. For example: "The protagonist in the novel suddenly "took ill" and had to be hospitalized."

What are some alternatives to "took ill"?

Some alternatives to "took ill" include "became sick", "fell ill", or "became unwell". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "took ill" formal or informal?

"Took ill" is generally considered more formal than phrases like "got sick" or "felt sick". It's often used in literature, news reports, or professional settings.