was sick

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was sick" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a past state of illness or discomfort experienced by someone. Example: "Last week, I was sick and had to stay home from work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

His wife was sick.

The New Yorker

"He just was sick".

The New York Times - Sports

My grandfather was sick.

The New York Times

(Willie Mays was sick).

The New York Times - Sports

Her cat was sick.

The New Yorker

That was sick".

Independent

And he was sick.

The New Yorker

This woman was sick.

The New York Times

Then he was sick.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

You're sick, sick".

The New Yorker

"If I'm sick, they're sick.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's past state of being unwell, "was sick" is a straightforward and universally understood choice. However, consider your audience and the context. For formal writing, options like "was unwell" or "had an illness" might be more appropriate.

Common error

While "was sick" is perfectly acceptable in everyday conversation, avoid using it excessively in formal or professional writing. Opt for more refined alternatives such as "was diagnosed with", "experienced a period of ill health", or "was treated for" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was sick" functions primarily as a stative verb phrase, indicating a past state of being in poor health. Ludwig examples show it describing temporary illnesses, chronic conditions, or general feelings of being unwell. The use of "was" links the subject to the adjective "sick", describing their condition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was sick" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a past state of illness. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use. While it's suitable for most situations, more formal options exist for professional contexts. Examples show its prevalence in News & Media, and the frequency analysis categorizes it as very common, underscoring its everyday applicability. Remember to tailor your choice to suit the specific tone and formality of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

felt unwell

Replaces "sick" with "unwell", providing a slightly softer tone.

was ailing

Uses "ailing" instead of "sick", suggesting a prolonged or chronic illness.

had an illness

Emphasizes the presence of a specific illness rather than a general feeling of sickness.

suffered from a disease

Indicates a more serious or diagnosed medical condition.

was under the weather

An idiomatic expression meaning to feel slightly ill.

experienced sickness

Formal way to express that one suffered sickness.

became ill

Focuses on the process of falling sick.

was not healthy

More general way of indicating the state of not being in good health.

struggled with sickness

Highlights the difficulty faced due to the sickness.

succumbed to illness

Indicates that someone was defeated by illness.

FAQs

How can I use "was sick" in a sentence?

You can use "was sick" to describe a past state of illness. For example: "Yesterday, I "was sick" and couldn't go to work."

What's a more formal way to say "was sick"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "was unwell", "had an illness", or "experienced sickness". These options convey a similar meaning with a more professional tone.

Is "was sick" grammatically correct?

Yes, "was sick" is grammatically correct. It's a common and acceptable way to describe a past state of illness. As shown in the Ludwig AI analysis, this phrase follows standard grammatical rules.

What's the difference between "was sick" and "is sick"?

"Was sick" refers to a past state of illness, while "is sick" refers to a current state of illness. For example, "I "was sick" yesterday, but I am feeling better today" versus "I "am sick" today and can't go to work."