is he unwell

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is he unwell" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when inquiring about someone's health or well-being, typically in a context where concern is expressed. Example: "I noticed he hasn't been himself lately; is he unwell?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Is he unwell?' And they told me, 'No, he's the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.' " (The Chief Justice, Vincenzo Carbone, said that he recalls Grillo's visit but does not remember making such a remark).

The New Yorker

Our video takes a lookXi moves in mysterious ways Is he unwell?

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

(Was he mad? Or unwell?) In bed, he claimed to be too overworked to contemplate removing her silk nightie.

Independent

One reason is that he is clearly unwell: in October 2007 he suffered what appeared to be a minor stroke, and was unable to make his traditional birthday speech.

Independent

He said he had reached "an epiphany" that he is "incredibly unwell".

BBC

His manager said after the game that he was unwell and he certainly played like he was under the weather.

BBC

According to Mr. Gilbert, Reagan's aides prevented people from seeing him because he was unwell, and he made decisions while hospitalized that he later did not remember.

The New York Times

The ex-footballer said he was "incredibly unwell" when he tried to take his own life in December but he now had a "very different perspective" on life.

The Guardian - Sport

His friends later realised he was unwell and he was taken to the medical area inside the club, where he had two seizures and went into cardiac arrest.

The Guardian - Music

Later, Howard texts to say he is feeling unwell.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A medical report says he is too unwell to attend and suffers memory lapses.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When asking about someone's health, consider the context and relationship. "Is he unwell?" can be more appropriate in formal or professional settings compared to "Is he sick?".

Common error

Avoid using "is he unwell?" in overly casual situations. Opt for simpler phrases like "is he feeling okay?" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is he unwell" functions as an interrogative clause, specifically a question. It seeks information about the health status of a male individual. Ludwig provides examples demonstrating its use in news and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is he unwell" serves as a grammatically sound and polite inquiry about a male individual's health. It's deemed correct and usable in written English, according to Ludwig. While it can be used across various contexts, it's particularly suited for formal or professional settings. The phrase is common in news and media, and can also be found in formal business and scientific contexts. When in doubt about the formality, consider simpler alternatives like "is he sick" to ensure a natural tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Is he sick?

Uses a more direct and common expression for being unwell.

Is he not feeling well?

Rephrases the question using a negative construction for emphasis.

Is he not well?

Rephrases the question using a negative construction for emphasis.

Is he feeling sick?

Employs a more direct and common expression for feeling unwell.

Does he feel poorly?

Uses an adverb to describe how he feels, indicating a state of being unwell.

Is he ailing?

Uses a more formal and concise term for being sick.

Is he under the weather?

Employs an idiomatic expression for feeling slightly ill.

Is he indisposed?

Uses a formal term suggesting a temporary inability to perform usual activities due to illness.

Is he in poor health?

Focuses on the general state of his health.

Is his health failing?

Suggests a progressive decline in health.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "is he unwell"?

The phrase "is he unwell" is suitable in formal settings or when showing concern for someone's health. It's a polite way to inquire about someone's well-being, especially when you suspect they may be experiencing health issues.

What are some alternative ways to ask "is he unwell"?

You can use alternatives like "is he sick", "is he feeling well", or "is he under the weather" depending on the context and your relationship with the person you're asking about.

Is "is he unwell" too formal for casual conversation?

While grammatically correct, "is he unwell" might sound slightly formal in very casual conversations. In such cases, simpler alternatives like "is he okay" or "is he sick" may be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "is he unwell" and "is he ill"?

The phrases "is he unwell" and "is he ill" are very similar in meaning. "Unwell" is a slightly softer or more general way of asking if someone is not in good health, while "ill" is a more direct term for sickness. They are often interchangeable, but "unwell" can sometimes imply a temporary or minor condition.