Stay home when sick.

Meaning: If you're feeling sick, it's best to stay home from school or work to avoid spreading your illness to others.

Choice of Words: Stay means to remain in a particular place or condition. Home is the place where you live. When is used to refer to a particular time or occasion. Sick means ill or unwell.

Alternative Expressions

Don't go out when you're not feeling well.

Meaning: This means the same thing as the first sentence. It is important to stay home when you are sick so that you don't spread your germs to others and so that you can rest and get better.

Choice of Words: Don't is a contraction of the words "do" and "not". Go is a verb that means to move or travel somewhere. Out means away from a particular place. When is a conjunction that introduces a clause or phrase that expresses a time or condition. You're is a contraction of the words "you" and "are". Not is an adverb that means to negate or deny something. Feeling is a verb that means to experience a particular sensation or emotion. Well is an adjective that means to be in good health or condition. When you put them together, "Don't go out when you're not feeling well" means to not leave your home when you are sick.

If you're sick, stay home.

Meaning: This means the same thing as the first two sentences. It is important to stay home when you are sick so that you don't spread your germs to others and so that you can rest and get better.

Choice of Words: If is a conjunction that introduces a conditional clause. You're is a contraction of the words "you" and "are". Sick means affected by illness or disease. Stay means to remain in one place or condition. Home refers to the place where one lives. When you put them together, "If you're sick, stay home" means that you should remain in your residence when you are not feeling well.

Related Expressions