I wasn't well

USAGE SUMMARY

'I wasn't well' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that you were not feeling healthy in the past. For example: "I wasn't well yesterday so I stayed home in bed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

But I wasn't "well".

The Guardian - Opinion

I wasn't well known.

The Guardian - Sport

"She just told them I wasn't well," he chuckles.

The Guardian

Look, I didn't say I wasn't pretentious; I said I wasn't well read.

The New York Times - Books

I wasn't well for part of it either, and was on antidepressants for a period of time.

The Guardian

"It turned out to be anything but an easy record to make, basically because I wasn't well.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

I had found wellness, and I was not well.

Vice

"Yeah, I was not well".

The Guardian - Music

I was not well suited to Japan.

The New York Times - Arts

I was not well liked out in Killary.

The New Yorker

"I was not well, and I felt my years," he told me.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I wasn't well", ensure the context clearly indicates the period of time you are referring to. For example, specify "I wasn't well last week".

Common error

Avoid using "I wasn't well" when describing an ongoing or current state. Instead, use "I am not well" for present conditions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I wasn't well" functions as a statement of past condition. It serves to inform that the speaker experienced a period of ill health. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct expression. Examples show it used to explain past actions or situations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

28%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I wasn't well" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe a past state of poor health. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and suitable for written English. Analysis of the search results reveals that the phrase is commonly found in "News & Media" and scientific contexts, indicating a neutral register. When using this phrase, it is important to specify the timeframe to avoid ambiguity and to ensure the tense aligns with the intended meaning. Alternatives such as "I felt unwell" or "I was feeling sick" can provide similar meaning with slight variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was sick

A simple and direct way of stating illness.

I felt unwell

Focuses on the feeling of being sick rather than a definitive state.

I was feeling sick

Emphasizes the sensation of nausea or illness.

I was not healthy

Highlights a lack of overall health.

I was under the weather

A more idiomatic way to express mild illness.

I was ailing

Suggests a more prolonged or chronic state of being unwell.

I was indisposed

A formal way of saying unwell, often used to politely decline invitations.

I was not in good health

A more direct and clinical way of stating poor health.

I had a health issue

Downplays the severity of the illness, focusing on it as a problem.

I experienced poor health

Focuses on the experience of being in a state of diminished health.

FAQs

How can I use "I wasn't well" in a sentence?

Use "I wasn't well" to describe a past state of poor health. For example, "I wasn't well enough to go to work so I stayed home".

What are some alternatives to "I wasn't well"?

Alternatives include phrases like "I felt unwell", "I was feeling sick", or "I was under the weather", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I wasn't well"?

Yes, "I wasn't well" is grammatically correct and commonly used to indicate that you were in a state of poor health in the past. Ludwig confirms this usage.

What's the difference between "I'm not well" and "I wasn't well"?

"I'm not well" indicates a current state of poor health, while "I wasn't well" refers to a past state. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the time frame of your illness.