Common Mistake: “sickness” vs. “disease”
– A2-B1 (pre-intermediate to intermediate) –
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It is a common mistake among English learners to confuse the words “sickness” and “disease.”
In North American English, these words do not mean the same thing.
DEFINITIONS
sickness
(noun) the state of being in poor health, in general; often refers to a condition that is not too serious
disease
(noun) a type of serious infection that causes failure of health; often affects an organ and its ability to function in a healthy way
EXAMPLES
“The Common Cold is a sickness that affects many people. In Canada, it is typical to get a cold in the fall.”
“She just has a cough. Nothing serious. Her sickness will pass soon.”
“Unfortunately, cancer is a common disease these days.”
“Diabetes is a disease that affects the body’s ability to control the level of sugar in its blood.”
Have you made this mistake before? What are some other examples of sicknesses and diseases? Practice using this vocabulary by sharing your ideas with me in the comments below.
