Confused Words: Sick vs. ill

Greetings, learners! Today, we’re going to talk about two words that can confuse English learners: “Sick” and “Ill“. Though they seem synonymous, there are slight differences in their usage. Let’s dive in!

Sick

The word “Sick” (IPA: /sɪk/) usually refers to a temporary state of unhealthiness, often involving the stomach or a cold.

Here are 10 examples:

1. She felt sick after eating too much candy. (She felt nauseous after eating too much)
2. He has been sick with the flu. (He has been unwell with the flu)
3. She stayed home from work because she was sick. (She didn’t go to work due to illness)
4. I feel sick. (I feel unwell)
5. He’s sick in bed with a fever. (He’s unwell in bed with a fever)
6. They had to cancel the trip because their son was sick. (Their son’s illness made them cancel the trip)
7. The doctor told him to get plenty of rest because he was sick. (The doctor advised rest due to his illness)
8. He felt sick to his stomach. (He felt nauseous)
9. She called in sick today. (She called to say she won’t come to work due to illness)
10. He was sick with worry about his exam. (His worry about his exam made him feel ill)

ILL

“ILL” (IPA: /ɪl/) is slightly more formal and typically refers to a more serious or prolonged ailment, though it can be used interchangeably with “sick” in many contexts.

Here are 10 examples:

1. He has been ill for three weeks. (He has been unwell for three weeks)
2. She’s too ill to come to work. (She’s too unwell to come to work)
3. He was seriously ill last year. (He was seriously unwell last year)
4. She’s been feeling ill lately. (She’s been feeling unwell lately)
5. He fell ill after his trip. (He became unwell after his trip)
6. She’s mentally ill. (She has a mental illness)
7. He’s chronically ill. (He has a long-term illness)
8. My grandmother is ill and needs care. (My grandmother is unwell and needs care)
9. She has been off work due to ill health. (She hasn’t been at work due to poor health)
10. He’s seriously ill in the hospital. (He’s seriously unwell in the hospital)

Conclusion

In summary, “Sick” and “Ill” can often be used interchangeably to describe unhealthiness, but “sick” is more commonly used for temporary or less serious conditions, while “ill” tends to refer to more prolonged or serious health issues. Keep practicing and soon these differences will become second nature!