be unwell

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be unwell" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of poor health or feeling ill. Example: "I cannot attend the meeting today as I will be unwell and need to rest at home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

He also suspects — correctly, we discover — that she may be unwell.

The New Yorker

They had come from Sierra Leone but thoughts were entering my head: could this person be unwell?

The Guardian

The man took the spider to Highcroft veterinary group in Whitchurch, Bristol, where it was examined and found it to be unwell.

The Guardian

"What if it's...?", "I can't afford to be unwell, doctor" and "I want to be right for my holiday" are comments I frequently hear.

The Guardian

One job I recall concerned a young person who was pretending to be unwell, but we couldn't leave them with their family.

The Guardian

Salman is widely believed to be unwell, with speculation he is suffering from dementia or Parkinson's disease, though Saudis deny that [see footnote].

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Garrick was unwell, however.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Irvine Welsh is unwell.

Independent

HUGO CHÁVEZ is unwell.

The Economist

He has been unwell.

The Guardian

John Patterson is unwell.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's absence due to sickness, "be unwell" provides a slightly more formal and polite tone than "be sick."

Common error

Avoid using "be unwell" in very casual conversations; simpler phrases like "feel sick" or "not feeling well" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be unwell" functions primarily as a linking verb followed by an adjective, describing a state of not being in good health. Ludwig examples confirm this usage, indicating a condition of illness or indisposition.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

38%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be unwell" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe a state of poor health. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as a linking verb with an adjective and is often employed to explain or inform about someone's condition. While versatile, it leans towards a neutral to formal register, making it suitable for news reports, scientific articles, and professional communication. More informal contexts might benefit from simpler alternatives like "feel sick" or "not feeling well". Remember that source authority and context are important, it's therefore paramount that you adjust it to your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be ill

A general term for being in poor health, slightly more formal than "be sick".

be not well

A straightforward and simple way to express illness.

feel sick

Focuses on the subjective feeling of illness, often implying nausea.

be ailing

Suggests a prolonged period of sickness or weakness.

be under the weather

An idiomatic expression indicating mild illness.

be indisposed

A formal way of saying someone is temporarily unable to perform their usual activities due to illness.

be out of sorts

Implies a general feeling of discomfort or unease, not necessarily a specific illness.

suffer from an ailment

Highlights the experience of enduring a specific health problem.

experience poor health

Focuses on the overall condition of one's health.

have a health problem

A broad term that covers any issue related to one's physical or mental health.

FAQs

How can I use "be unwell" in a sentence?

You can use "be unwell" to describe a state of poor health. For example, "I cannot attend the meeting because I will "be unwell"."

What can I say instead of "be unwell"?

Alternatives include "feel sick", "be ill", or "be under the weather", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Which is correct, "be unwell" or "is unwell"?

Both phrases can be correct depending on the context. "Be unwell" is often used in future or conditional sentences (e.g., "I will be unwell"). "Is unwell" describes a present state (e.g., "He is unwell").

What's the difference between "be unwell" and "be sick"?

"Be unwell" is generally considered more formal and less direct than "be sick". While both indicate poor health, "be unwell" can sometimes imply a temporary or mild condition.