feel really unwell

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feel really unwell" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a state of poor health or discomfort. Example: "After eating that questionable food, I started to feel really unwell and had to lie down."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Twelve million will be given to children who will seize the day and scoff them, deny it three times, then feel really unwell on the car ride over to Gran's.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

I felt fine when boarding, then we took off and I suddenly felt really unwell.

Independent

There were examples of professional failures, involving GP and/or nurse misdiagnosis, or mis-attribution of pregnancy symptoms to lifestyle or medical causes: "I began to feel really sick and really unwell and lo and behold I was pregnant.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

"I feel really, really bad.

Independent

"I feel really, really good".

The New York Times

"I feel really old".

The New Yorker

I feel really good".

The New York Times - Sports

We feel really confident.

The New York Times

"Just feel really disappointed.

The New York Times

I feel really, really relieved".

BBC

They feel really tired.

BMC Nephrology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a state of poor health, consider the specific nuance you want to convey. "Feel really unwell" indicates a noticeable level of discomfort, but alternatives might better suit the situation (e.g. "feel very sick" for more intensity, or "feel under the weather" for something milder).

Common error

While "feel really unwell" is acceptable in general use, it might sound less professional in formal documents or academic papers. Opt for more precise and formal language like "experiencing a significant decline in health" or "demonstrating symptoms of illness".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feel really unwell" functions as a verb phrase expressing a state of being. It describes the subject's subjective experience of poor health. Ludwig confirms that it is a valid and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

7%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "feel really unwell" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a subjective experience of poor health. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's readily usable in written English. While generally suitable for neutral contexts like news reports or casual conversation, it's important to recognize that more precise or formal language might be more appropriate in professional or academic settings. Alternatives like "feel quite ill" or "feel very sick" may provide a nuanced difference in describing how someone feels. The sources show the phrase appearing mostly in news, scientific articles and formal documents.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feel physically ill

Specifies that the feeling of being unwell is related to physical health.

feel quite ill

Replaces "really unwell" with "quite ill", indicating a moderate level of sickness.

feel very sick

Substitutes "really unwell" with "very sick", suggesting a more intense feeling of illness.

feel under the weather

Uses an idiom to describe a mild feeling of being unwell.

feel poorly

Replaces "really unwell" with the simpler "poorly", indicating a general feeling of being unwell.

feel like I'm coming down with something

Suggests an impending illness, rather than a current state.

not feeling myself

Indicates a deviation from one's normal state of health and well-being.

feel a bit off

Uses informal language to describe a slight feeling of being unwell.

experience discomfort

Replaces the emotional "feel" with the more physical "experience discomfort", which is a more objective take.

feel queasy

Describes a sensation of nausea or stomach upset.

FAQs

What does "feel really unwell" mean?

It means to experience a significant level of discomfort or sickness. It suggests a noticeable decline in health but doesn't necessarily specify the exact ailment.

What can I say instead of "feel really unwell"?

You can use alternatives like "feel quite ill", "feel very sick", or "feel under the weather" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I feel really unwell"?

Yes, it is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for general use.

How formal is the phrase "feel really unwell"?

It's generally considered neutral to informal. In very formal or professional settings, more precise or clinical language might be preferred.