are not well

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are not well" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's health or emotional state, indicating that they are unwell or not feeling good. Example: "After the long journey, I realized that my friends are not well and need to rest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

And the testers are not well funded.

Independent

But they are not well motivated.

The Economist

Sharks' geographic ranges are not well known.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Many of them are not well educated.

The New York Times

Oddly, they are not well known.

The New York Times

Morsi's words are not well received.

The Guardian

Things are not well in Brazil.

The New Yorker

The young people are not well informed.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Fortunately, their criticisms are not well-founded.

The New York Times

The streets are not well-marked; ask for directions.

The New York Times - Travel

"These are not well-to-do places," he noted.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's health, consider the audience and context. For formal settings, "are in poor health" might be more appropriate than "are not well".

Common error

Avoid using "are not well" when you mean "are not good at". "Well" in this phrase refers to health or condition, not skill or aptitude. Use alternatives like "are not skilled at" or "are not proficient in" to convey a lack of ability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are not well" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state or condition of the subject. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is a standard English expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are not well" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that someone is in poor health or that something is not functioning correctly. As confirmed by Ludwig, it appears frequently in diverse contexts, especially in News & Media and Science. While generally neutral in tone, choosing more formal alternatives like "are in poor health" may be appropriate for certain professional settings. It's important to differentiate its meaning from similar-sounding phrases that describe skill or aptitude. By understanding its proper usage and context, you can effectively communicate a state of unwellness or inadequacy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are unwell

Replaces "well" with a direct synonym, indicating a state of poor health.

are in poor health

Substitutes "not well" with a more formal expression of poor health.

are ailing

Uses a verb form to describe a state of sickness or decline.

are under the weather

Offers an informal idiom for feeling sick or unwell.

are not in good condition

Replaces "well" with "good condition", indicating a general state of inadequacy or disrepair.

are not functioning properly

Focuses on impaired functionality rather than general well-being.

are not up to par

Uses an idiom to indicate that something is below the expected standard.

are substandard

Indicates that something fails to meet the required quality or standard.

are inadequate

Highlights a lack of sufficiency or competence.

are deficient

Emphasizes a lack of necessary qualities or elements.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "are not well"?

Use "are not well" to describe someone's health or condition. It indicates they are sick, unwell, or in a poor state. Alternatives include "are unwell" or "are ailing".

What are some more formal alternatives to "are not well"?

For a formal context, consider using phrases such as "are in poor health" or "are not in good condition". These options sound more professional than "are not well".

Can "are not well" be used to describe objects or systems?

Yes, it can. While primarily used for health, it can describe something that is not functioning correctly or is in a state of disrepair. Example: "The government policies "are not well defined"."

What's the difference between "are not well" and "are not doing well"?

"Are not well" typically refers to health, while "are not doing well" can encompass various aspects, including performance, progress, or general well-being. The latter is broader and can be used when the specific problem isn't just physical health.