Grammar fix
come down with
become ill
To start to feel sick with a particular illness, usually something not too serious like a cold or the flu.
phrasal verbB1common
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- I think I'm coming down with a cold because my throat feels sore.health
- Last week, I couldn't go to work because I came down with the flu and had to rest at home.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: come down with + illness
WrongI came down a cold last week.
RightI came down with a cold last week.
Always 'come down WITH' an illness.
Patterncome down with + illness
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'Coming down with something' is exactly how people describe getting ill; 'contracting a viral infection' is clinical.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
come down with + illnessa coldthe flua bugsomething
Don't confuse it
'Come down with' is not used for injuries or very serious diseases. For example, don't say 'come down with cancer.'