feeling very unwell

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feeling very unwell" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a state of poor health or discomfort, often in informal contexts. Example: "After eating that questionable food, I started feeling very unwell and had to lie down."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

I showed him an almost-finished — maybe with the exception of one music cue, I showed him the movie a month ago, and he left me a very touching but disturbing voice mail, which was all about how, if this was the movie on his tombstone, he'd be glad with that, because of how proud he was, and all that — and I'm thinking, "Tombstone?" So he must have been feeling very unwell.

The New Yorker

Results: An 81-year-old male, with good quality of life, attended the emergency room with abdominal pain, 2-h evolution, feeling very unwell, very restless, sweaty, hypotensive, tachycardic, tachypneic, and desaturating, with overall poor perfusion peripheral and peritonism data on abdominal palpation.

Critical Ultrasound Journal

Patients' (fig 2B) and physicians' median global assessment scores showed a trend towards "feeling well" from the placebo run-in to the end of active treatment (week 8) and shifted back towards "feeling very unwell" during the post-treatment follow-up phase.

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Subject says she feels "very unwell".[2] Bystander leaves hurriedly.

The New York Times

"I'm feeling very confident".

The New York Times

"I am feeling very positive.

BBC

For example, thirst, feeling unwell, and looking unwell in an adolescent triggers the possibility of type 1 diabetes.

British Medical Journal

She was very unwell.

The Guardian

He looked very, very unwell.

The New Yorker

He has been very unwell.

The Guardian

By this point, he was very unwell.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a medical condition, use "feeling very unwell" to clearly convey a significant level of discomfort or sickness to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "feeling very unwell" in highly formal or professional writing; opt for more precise medical terminology or a more neutral phrase like "experiencing health issues".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feeling very unwell" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a subject (often 'I', 'he', 'she', or 'they') to indicate their current state of health. As Ludwig indicates, it describes a state of poor health or discomfort.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "feeling very unwell" is a grammatically correct adjective phrase used to express a significant level of discomfort or sickness. According to Ludwig, it is appropriate for describing a state of poor health or discomfort in various contexts. While generally neutral in register, it may be less suitable for highly formal or clinical settings. It's frequency is relatively rare, but its meaning is widely understood. When writing, consider the audience and context to ensure the phrase aligns with the intended tone and level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feeling quite ill

Indicates a moderate level of sickness, slightly less intense than "feeling very unwell".

feeling really sick

Uses a more informal term, "sick", to convey a similar meaning of being unwell.

not feeling well

A general expression of being in poor health, lacking the intensity of "feeling very unwell".

under the weather

An idiomatic expression for feeling slightly unwell, often implying a temporary condition.

laid up

Implies being confined due to illness, suggesting a more serious or prolonged state of being unwell.

poorly

A more formal and general term for being in poor health.

ailing

Suggests a prolonged period of ill health, often used in a more literary or formal context.

unfit

Indicates a lack of physical health or capability, which can overlap with feeling unwell.

indisposed

A formal way of saying someone is temporarily unavailable due to illness or other reasons.

suffering

Implies a state of distress or pain, which may be associated with feeling unwell.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone is "feeling very unwell"?

Saying someone is "feeling very unwell" means they are experiencing a significant level of discomfort or sickness, indicating a notable decline in their health.

What can I say instead of "feeling very unwell"?

You can use alternatives like "feeling quite ill", "feeling really sick", or "not feeling well" depending on the context and level of formality.

Is "feeling very unwell" a formal or informal expression?

"Feeling very unwell" is generally considered a neutral expression, suitable for both informal and semi-formal contexts. However, more formal or clinical settings might require more precise medical terminology.

How is "feeling very unwell" different from "feeling unwell"?

The addition of "very" intensifies the feeling of being unwell, indicating a more significant or severe state of sickness compared to simply "feeling unwell".