Ill vs. Sick

In this lesson, we're gonna learn all there is about the differences and similarities between 'ill' and 'sick'. Can you tell? Well, c'mon.

What Is Their Main Difference?

Both are adjectives indicating that someone is not okay and they are not healthy. However, they have slight grammatical differences. Both can come after linking verbs and be predictive adjectives. 'Ill' cannot be used as an attributive adjective, whereas, 'sick can come before a noun.

Differences

As stated above, these two have a slight difference in their grammatical functions. We cannot use 'ill' as a predictive adjective. It cannot come before a noun. Another difference is that when someone is 'sick' in British English, it means they are vomiting, but when it comes to American English, it only implies that someone is not feeling well. Look at the examples below:

You classmate has been sick for several days now.

Anna appeared to be ill last night.

Similarities

Both refer to someone that does not feel fine and healthy. Take a look at the examples below:

Is everything okay? You look sick.

Ugh! James is always ill.

Are They Interchangeable?

These two adjectives are used interchangeably. However, note that whoever the adjective has come before the noun, we cannot replace 'sick' with 'ill' because it will be grammatically incorrect. Compare:

✓ The poor child is sick again.

✓ The poor child is ill again.

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