truly ill

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "truly ill" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the severity or authenticity of someone's illness. Example: "After visiting the doctor, it became clear that she was truly ill and needed immediate care."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Bill became truly ill.

The New York Times - Health

Is she truly ill?

The New Yorker

If he sped up diagnosis by showing reliably who was going to become truly ill, treatment could start much earlier.

The Economist

Reviewing the chart, Mr. Begaz decides that Marcus is truly ill, and not seeking medication to feed a drug habit.

The New York Times - Health

The Haggler noted that the point of CSA's rules is to separate the truly ill from those who want to bail out of their trips for nonmedical reasons.

The New York Times

All this means that there is less money to pay for future claims by the truly ill, especially from companies toppling into bankruptcy.The dreaded detailsWill Mr Specter be able to deliver reform?

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

But American capitalism would be truly ill-served by making poor stock picks a criminal or civil offense.

Forbes

Inpatient hospice is for the truly terminally ill, those just a stone's throw from rigor mortis.

The New York Times

You find yourself realizing that this person is truly mentally ill, and that there is nothing wrong with you; you just became a target, and you are now ready to move out of the firing range.

WikiHow

Occasionally you might receive some truly inappropriate, ill-conceived, or tacky presents items that make you wonder if the gift-giver has ever even met you before.

Vice

A core question David wrestles with throughout the series is whether he's mentally ill, truly has powers, or both?

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "truly ill" to emphasize the genuineness and severity of a person's sickness, especially when there might be doubt or skepticism. For instance, use it when distinguishing between someone who is genuinely sick and someone who is feigning illness.

Common error

Avoid using "truly ill" in overly casual or informal settings where simpler terms like "sick" or "unwell" suffice. Overusing it can sound overly dramatic or insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "truly ill" functions as an adjective phrase, where "truly" modifies the adjective "ill", intensifying its meaning. This construction emphasizes the genuineness and severity of the illness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it highlights the authenticity of a state of poor health.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "truly ill" functions as an adjective phrase, emphasizing the genuineness and severity of an illness. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability in written English, particularly to highlight the authenticity of someone's sickness. It's commonly found in news reports, scientific articles, and formal contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. While "truly ill" is appropriate for emphasizing a serious condition, it should be used judiciously in casual settings to avoid sounding overly dramatic. Related phrases include "genuinely sick" and "seriously unwell", offering alternative ways to convey a similar meaning. Be mindful of the context and the desired tone when choosing between these options.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

genuinely sick

Emphasizes the authenticity of the sickness.

seriously unwell

Highlights the severity of the unwellness.

gravely ailing

Implies a critical or life-threatening illness.

really sick

A more informal way to express the same idea.

severely diseased

Focuses on the presence of a disease and its intensity.

critically injured

Indicates a very serious condition following an accident or trauma.

acutely unwell

Highlights the sudden and severe nature of the illness.

badly stricken

Suggests a severe affliction or hardship.

extremely unhealthy

A broader term encompassing general poor health.

veritably infirm

Stresses the genuine weakness or frailty due to illness.

FAQs

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

You can use "truly ill" to emphasize the severity of someone's sickness, like in the sentence, "After a week of worsening symptoms, it became clear that she was "truly ill" and needed immediate medical attention."

What are some alternatives to "truly ill"?

Some alternatives include "genuinely sick", "seriously unwell", or "gravely ailing". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "truly ill" more formal than "really sick"?

Yes, "truly ill" generally carries a slightly more formal tone than "really sick". "Really sick" is more common in everyday conversation, while "truly ill" might be used in more serious or professional contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "truly ill" instead of just "ill"?

Use "truly ill" when you want to stress the genuine and significant nature of the illness. It's appropriate when clarifying that someone's condition is not minor or imagined, but is a real and serious health concern.