Learn English – Alternative words/phrases for sometimes good sometimes bad

phrase-requestphrase-usageword-request

Peter health condition sometimes good sometimes bad

Is sometimes good sometimes bad a valid usage? Are there better words/phrases for that?

Best Answer

A couple of phrases commonly in use in British English are:

  • Up and down (meaning in state of fluctuation)
  • Touch and go (meaning in a delicate, or precarious state)

Examples:

"His health is up and down".
"It's touch-and-go with him".

Note that the latter is normally used to describe more serious health conditions. Also these expressions may be not be used the same way in American English.

Words that may be useful:

  • delicate
  • unsure
  • fluctuating
  • varying

Although these may only really be useful in creative writing, perhaps not in everyday speech to describe a health condition.

The most likely way I would expect this situation to be described is:

Peter has good days and bad days with his health.

Related Topic