is he well

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is he well" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when inquiring about someone's health or well-being, typically in a more formal or traditional context. Example: "I heard he was feeling under the weather last week; is he well now?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

He seems happy – is he? "Well, it's a state of mind.

The Guardian - Music

Not only is he well liked, but he also has no ready successor and as the protracted search for a Citigroup head demonstrated, there is a dearth of outside executives ready and willing to take on such a job.

The New York Times

Not only is he well informed when asked to speak; he is also very approachable by all citizens.

Los Angeles Times

Is he? "Well, I think he probably was.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Is he well?" Bob and Karel had not gone far, at least not far enough to give plausibility to a charge of kidnapping.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"Not only is he well-taken care of, he's spoiled," said Aujero, who visited the bear a few weeks ago.

Los Angeles Times

Was he well preserved or childish?

Vice

"The point is, he's well qualified".

The New York Times

"He is well," he said.

The New York Times - Magazine

He is well educated and well spoken.

The New York Times

He's well respected; he's well thought of.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is he well" in formal contexts when directly inquiring about someone's health or overall condition.

Common error

Avoid using "is he well" in contexts where 'well' could be misinterpreted as 'skilled' or 'competent'. Clarify the context to ensure the question is understood as pertaining to health.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is he well" functions as an interrogative clause, specifically designed to inquire about the health or overall condition of a male individual. As supported by Ludwig AI, this construction is grammatically sound and suitable for formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

29%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Science

14%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is he well" is a grammatically correct and understandable way to inquire about someone's health, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. While not exceedingly common, it's suitable for formal contexts. The primary function is to seek information about a male individual's well-being, often when there's a pre-existing concern. While “is he ok” or “is he alright” can be employed as less formal alternatives, it's important to clarify the context to prevent misinterpretations. Predominantly found in news, media, and formal business settings, its usage aligns with seeking health-related information from authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Is he alright?

Uses a different term, 'alright', to ask about someone's well-being, which is a less formal alternative to 'well'.

Is he doing okay?

Replaces 'well' with 'doing okay', offering a more casual tone while still inquiring about his condition.

Is he in good health?

Focuses specifically on health rather than general well-being, making the query more targeted.

Is he healthy?

Simplifies the query to a direct question about his health status.

Is he feeling better?

Assumes the person was previously unwell and asks about improvement.

Has he recovered?

Asks if the person has fully recovered from an illness or injury.

Is his health improving?

Inquires about the progress of his health, rather than the current state.

Is he in a stable condition?

Used more in medical contexts, it asks whether his condition is stable.

Is he out of danger?

Implies a serious situation and asks if the person is no longer in a life-threatening state.

Is he convalescing well?

A more formal way of asking if someone is recovering favorably, suitable for professional contexts.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "is he well"?

The phrase "is he well" is suitable for formal situations or when directly inquiring about someone's health or overall state of being. Alternatives like "is he alright" or "is he okay" might be better for casual settings.

What's the difference between "is he well" and "is he doing well"?

"Is he well" specifically asks about someone's health. "Is he doing well" is broader and can refer to health, success, or general progress. For instance, you might ask "Is he doing well in his new job?" but would typically use "is he well?" for health concerns.

Are there any synonyms for "is he well"?

Yes, depending on the context, you can use synonyms such as "is he healthy", "is he alright", or "is he in good health".

Is it grammatically correct to say "is he well"?

Yes, "is he well" is grammatically correct and a standard way to inquire about someone's well-being. It is considered more formal than alternatives like "is he ok" or "is he alright".