I felt sick

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence 'I felt sick' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone is describing how they felt or how they were feeling. For example, "After eating the meal, I felt sick and had to leave early."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

But I felt sick.

The New York Times

I felt sick.

The New York Times

I felt sick and disgusted.

The New York Times - Books

I felt sick with panic.

The Guardian

I felt sick, physically sick.

The New York Times - Sports

"I felt sick when I saw it.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

"I feel sick".

The New York Times

God, I feel sick".

The New Yorker

"I feel sick," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

I feel sick about it".

The New York Times - Sports

"I feel sick," says Guy Hornsby.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I felt sick" to describe a personal experience of feeling unwell, whether due to physical illness, emotional distress, or a disturbing situation. Ensure the context clarifies the reason for the feeling.

Common error

While acceptable in general writing, avoid using "I felt sick" in highly formal or academic papers where a more precise medical term might be appropriate. For example, specify the symptom (nausea, dizziness) rather than the general feeling of sickness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I felt sick" primarily functions as a declarative statement expressing a subjective feeling of illness or discomfort. According to Ludwig, the expression is correct and usable. Examples from Ludwig show its use across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Lifestyle

8%

Sports

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I felt sick" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a personal sensation of being unwell, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's versatile, appearing frequently in news and media, lifestyle articles, and even sports contexts. While its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for various situations, it's advisable to use more specific medical terminology in formal or academic settings. Consider alternatives like "I felt nauseous" or "I felt unwell" depending on the context. By understanding its nuances and usage patterns, you can effectively convey your feelings while ensuring clarity and appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was feeling unwell

Replaces "sick" with a more general term for not being well.

I felt ill

Uses a synonym for "sick" to describe the sensation.

I felt poorly

Uses an adverb to describe the state of feeling unwell.

I felt nauseated

Specifies the feeling of nausea as opposed to general sickness.

I felt queasy

Describes a feeling of slight nausea or unease.

I felt weak and sick

Adds the sensation of weakness to the feeling of sickness.

I felt awful

Replaces "sick" with a more general term for feeling bad.

I felt a wave of sickness

Emphasizes the sudden onset of the feeling of being sick.

I experienced a sickness

Describes sickness as something that was experienced.

I was under the weather

An idiomatic expression for feeling slightly unwell.

FAQs

What's a more formal way to say "I felt sick"?

Depending on the specific feeling, you could say "I experienced nausea", "I felt unwell", or "I was experiencing symptoms of illness". For persistent conditions, consult a healthcare provider for accurate terminology.

What can I say instead of "I felt sick" to express disgust?

To convey disgust, you might say "I felt repulsed", "I felt disgusted", or "I felt sick to my stomach", depending on the intensity of the feeling.

Is "I felt sick" appropriate for professional communication?

In professional contexts, it's better to be specific. Instead of "I felt sick", state "I was experiencing a headache" or "I was feeling nauseous". If you need to take time off, simply state that you are feeling unwell and need to rest.

How can I use "I felt sick" in a descriptive sentence?

Use "I felt sick" to describe a physical or emotional reaction to something. For example, "When I saw the accident, "I felt sick"" or ""I felt sick" when I heard the news".