unexpected sickness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unexpected sickness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an illness that occurs suddenly and without warning. Example: "Due to an unexpected sickness, I was unable to attend the meeting yesterday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Unexpected sickness has unfortunately been the norm in our family, but this time feels a little different.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

While I am not planning to retire any time soon, I recognize that bad things do happen — unexpected bad things like sickness, disability, and of course the ultimate bad thing, death.

The New York Times

Every person will face unexpected challenges in life, like sickness, loss of a job, and death.

Huffington Post

Read more from Better After 50: The Unexpected Caregiver Goodnight Old Rotary Phone Sickness Changed My Husband's Personality At 50 When Is It Time To Take the Car Keys?

Huffington Post

This is not unexpected since medium and long term sickness absence is more common in older age group.

BMC Public Health

The association between decreasing economic difficulties and subsequent sickness absence may also sound unexpected, as one could posit that decrease in economic difficulties is beneficial for health and functioning.

BMJ Open

This surprising connection between antigenic variation and developmental progression provides an unexpected point of attack against the deadly sleeping sickness.

eLife

'Sitting-wind' is often mistakenly identified as 'exposed-to-wind' sickness, and subsequently treated with coin scratching, however this frequently results in unexpected sudden death.

Global Health Action

Travel sickness?

Independent

Sleeping sickness.

The Economist

Radiation sickness.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, consider using "sudden illness" or "unforeseen ailment" as alternatives to "unexpected sickness" to maintain a professional tone.

Common error

While grammatically correct, repeatedly using "unexpected sickness" in casual conversation can sound overly formal or unnatural. Opt for simpler terms like "sudden illness" or "came down with something" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unexpected sickness" functions as a noun phrase where "unexpected" modifies the noun "sickness". It describes a situation where an illness occurs without prior warning or anticipation. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability in English writing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unexpected sickness" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe an illness that occurs without prior warning. Ludwig confirms that it is usable in English. While it can be used in various contexts, including news, media and scientific writing, more formal alternatives might be preferred in certain professional settings. The phrase's frequency is classified as uncommon. When you aim for greater formality or a more polished tone, consider alternatives such as "sudden illness" or "unforeseen ailment".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sudden illness

Focuses on the abrupt nature of the health issue, emphasizing the speed of onset.

unforeseeable sickness

Emphasizes the impossibility of predicting the illness.

unforeseen ailment

Highlights the lack of anticipation regarding the sickness, emphasizing its surprise nature.

abrupt sickness

Focuses on the suddenness and immediacy of the sickness.

unpredicted disease

Similar to "unexpected sickness", but specifically uses the term "disease" which may imply a more serious condition.

unheralded sickness

Implies that the sickness arrived without any prior signs or warnings.

sudden health issue

Broadens the scope to include any health-related problem that occurs without warning.

surprise illness

Highlights the element of surprise associated with the sudden onset of the sickness.

chance sickness

Emphasizes the random and accidental nature of the sickness.

unanticipated malady

A more formal and less common way to express a sudden and unexpected illness.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "unexpected sickness"?

You can use alternatives like "sudden illness", "unforeseen ailment", or "sudden health issue" depending on the context.

Is "unexpected sickness" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "unexpected sickness" is grammatically correct and understandable, but in very formal contexts, "sudden illness" or "unforeseen ailment" might be preferred for a more polished tone.

How does "unexpected sickness" differ from "chronic illness"?

"Unexpected sickness" refers to a sudden onset of illness, while "chronic illness" implies a long-lasting or recurring health condition. They describe contrasting temporal aspects of health issues.

Can "unexpected sickness" be used to describe mental health issues?

While technically applicable, using "unexpected sickness" for mental health issues might sound insensitive. It's generally better to use more specific and empathetic language when discussing mental health, such as "sudden mental health crisis" or "unforeseen mental health challenges".