SpeakUp

Grammar fix

seriously ill

very sick

Extremely unwell, often with a serious medical condition that may require urgent care or hospital treatment.

collocationB1common

Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

  • After the accident, he was seriously ill and had to stay in the hospital for weeks.health
  • If a close family member became seriously ill, I would do everything I could to support them.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: be/get + seriously ill

WrongShe is serious ill in hospital.

RightShe is seriously ill in hospital.

Adverb 'seriously' before the adjective 'ill'.

Patternbe/get + seriously ill

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff He is afflicted with a grave medical condition.

Natural He's seriously ill.

Natural; 'afflicted with a grave medical condition' is clinical.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

  • seriously ill
    becomecriticallyfall seriously illpatient

Don't confuse it

'Seriously ill' is much stronger than 'a little ill' or 'not feeling well.'

Try it in Daily Speak →