took sick

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "took sick" is correct and usable in written English, though it is somewhat dated.
It can be used to indicate that someone became ill or unwell, often in a more formal or literary context. Example: "After the long journey, he took sick and had to rest for several days."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It just took sick.

The New York Times

Children took sick and died.

The Guardian - Books

And when we got to Leningrad, Harold suddenly took sick.

Columbia University

But he took sick with dysentery & had to return home.

The New Yorker

Caleb took sick the night of that goodbye.

The New Yorker

Right after it, her grandfather took sick & died a few days later.

The New Yorker

(Right after Ike took sick last Sept. prices took their biggest one-day drop since 1929).

The New Yorker

The wife took sick and died upon their return to Japan.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

A longitudinal study reported that female patients more often took sick-leave for neck and shoulder complaints [ 28].

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Among the 104 patients who worked at the initial visit, 36 took sick-leave due to their HZ episode for: 1 to 5 days (53%); 6 to 10 (33%); and more than 10 days (14%).

BMC Infectious Diseases

But it was in the cafetorium that the first victim the girl I'm calling Sandy took sick.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "took sick" is grammatically correct, consider your audience. In modern contexts, "fell ill" or "became ill" may be more appropriate.

Common error

Relying too heavily on phrases like "took sick" can make your writing sound dated. Balance traditional expressions with contemporary language for a more engaging style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "took sick" functions as a verbal phrase, indicating the action of becoming ill. Ludwig provides numerous examples where the phrase is used to describe the onset of a sickness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "took sick" is a grammatically correct way to express the onset of illness, although Ludwig AI notes it's considered somewhat dated. It appears most frequently in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts, suggesting a Neutral register, leaning towards informal. While usable, modern alternatives like "fell ill" or "became ill" may be more appropriate for contemporary writing. While not incorrect, overuse can make writing sound dated and out of touch.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fell ill

A more common and modern substitute for "took sick".

became ill

A straightforward and widely accepted way to express the start of an illness.

became unwell

A slightly more formal way of saying someone became sick.

was stricken with

Implies a sudden and often serious onset of illness.

succumbed to illness

Suggests a yielding to the effects of an illness.

caught a disease

Focuses on the acquisition of a specific disease.

contracted an illness

Similar to "caught a disease", but slightly more formal.

developed a condition

A more clinical and general way to describe the onset of a health problem.

was afflicted with

Suggests suffering from a condition or illness.

came down with

An informal phrase for becoming sick, often with a cold or flu.

FAQs

What's a more modern way to say "took sick"?

Alternatives include "fell ill", "became ill", or "became unwell". Choose the option that best fits the tone and context of your writing.

Is "took sick" grammatically incorrect?

No, "took sick" is grammatically sound, but it's considered somewhat old-fashioned in contemporary English. Ludwig AI states that is usable in written English, though it is somewhat dated.

In what contexts might "took sick" still be appropriate?

It can be fitting in historical fiction, period pieces, or when aiming for a deliberately old-fashioned tone. For example, "The character in the novel suddenly "took sick", mirroring the language of the era."

What's the difference between "took sick" and "called in sick"?

"Took sick" refers to the act of becoming ill, while "called in sick" means to notify your employer or school that you are unable to attend due to illness.