felt poorly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "felt poorly" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a state of feeling unwell or experiencing discomfort, often in a physical or emotional sense. Example: "After eating that questionable food, I felt poorly for the rest of the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

An early priority was to mend fences with composers who felt poorly treated by C.R.I.

The New York Times - Arts

In Boston, he felt poorly in the final miles, sapped by Heartbreak Hill.

The New York Times - Sports

There was some question among his teammates about Hernandez's condition for Game 3, for he felt poorly Monday.

The New York Times - Sports

Although he didn't say it, I sensed that he felt poorly treated by the navy, forgotten and put out to pasture.

The Guardian

Southern European countries have often felt poorly served by the Dublin Regulation, which dictates that the E.U. nations where migrants first arrive are ultimately responsible for them.

The New Yorker

When he still felt poorly a few days later Mr Wu returned to hospital and was diagnosed with a pulmonary infection.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

— Feeling poorly?

The New Yorker

These will make you feel poorly.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

While ambitious, Missing often feels poorly planned.

The New York Times - Tech

Feeling poorly, she went to Louisville but returned to N.Y. to work at Cafe Society where she stayed into 1943.

The New Yorker

Their uprising gathered support from Ivoirians in the north, who feel poorly treated by the southern-based government.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "felt poorly" when you want to describe a general sense of feeling unwell, whether physically or emotionally. It is particularly effective when the specific ailment is not known or important.

Common error

While "felt poorly" is acceptable, in highly formal writing, consider using more precise medical terminology or the more common phrase "felt unwell" for clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "felt poorly" functions as a verb phrase, where "felt" is the past tense of the verb "feel" and "poorly" modifies the verb to describe the manner of feeling. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes a state of being unwell.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "felt poorly" is a grammatically correct way to describe a state of being unwell, either physically or emotionally. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, it is somewhat less common than alternatives like "felt unwell" or "felt sick". Predominantly found in news, media, and scientific contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for general communication. When writing, consider the context and audience to determine if a more precise or common phrase would be more effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

felt unwell

Replaces "poorly" with a more common synonym for describing a state of ill health.

felt sick

Emphasizes the physical sensation of illness.

felt ill

A more formal synonym for feeling sick or unwell.

felt bad

A broader term that can refer to both physical and emotional discomfort.

felt under the weather

An idiomatic expression for feeling slightly unwell.

felt not well

A more direct, though less common, way of expressing a lack of well-being.

felt indisposed

A formal way to describe being temporarily unfit or unwilling.

felt below par

An idiomatic expression indicating a state of being less healthy or energetic than usual.

felt in poor health

Highlights the state of one's health as being less than ideal.

felt substandard

Implies a feeling of being less than adequate physically or emotionally.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone "felt poorly"?

Saying someone "felt poorly" means they experienced a state of being unwell, whether physically or emotionally. It's a general way of describing a lack of well-being.

What can I say instead of "felt poorly"?

You can use alternatives like "felt unwell", "felt sick", or "felt bad" depending on the context.

Is "felt poorly" grammatically correct?

Yes, "felt poorly" is grammatically correct and understandable. It's a valid way to describe a state of feeling unwell.

Which is more common, "felt poorly" or "felt unwell"?

"Felt unwell" is generally more common in contemporary English, but "felt poorly" is still a valid and understood alternative.