What are the definitions of “be down with”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Be ill.
Gul is DOWN WITH some bug and is off work today.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “be down with”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb be down with is to be ill or sick. It is often used to describe someone who is not feeling well and may be unable to attend work or school.
What are the different verb forms of “be down with”?
| Root Verb | be down with |
| Third Person Singular Present | is down with |
| Present Participle | being down with |
| Simple Past | was/were down with |
| Past Participle | been down with |
Example
She is down with the flu and cannot come to the party.
Example
He is down with a cold and needs to rest.
Example
She is being down with a stomach bug and cannot eat anything.
Example
They were down with food poisoning last week.
Example
He has been down with a fever for three days.
What kind of phrasal verb is “be down with”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Intransitive verb
“be down with” is an intransitive phrasal verb because it doesn't require an object to complete its meaning. It forms a complete sentence without an object.
Example
She is down with a cold.
Example
He was down with the flu last week.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“be down with” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
She is down with a cold.
Example
He was down with the flu last week.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “be down with”?
Good things to know
Does “be down with” have an informal or formal tone?
Be down with is an informal phrasal verb that is commonly used in everyday conversations. It is not typically used in formal settings or written communication. Instead, more formal alternatives such as 'be ill with' or 'suffer from' can be used.
