not been well

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not been well" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's health or emotional state, indicating that they have not been feeling good. Example: "She has not been well lately, and we are all concerned about her health."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He had not been well.

The New York Times - Magazine

She's not been well.

The Guardian - Film

It's not been well glazed.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Chen's comments have not been well received.

The Guardian - Tech

The safety of repeated use has not been well studied.

The New York Times

"I've not been well treated at times," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

I thought of saying that I had not been well.

The New Yorker

"Emotionally I have not been well," she said.

The New York Times

"The displaced population has not been well supported," he said.

The Guardian

Religious liberty has not been well served by this decision".

The New York Times - Arts

The risks they faced had not been well analysed.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not been well" to describe a sustained period of illness or discomfort, rather than a momentary feeling. For a fleeting sensation, "not feeling well" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "not been well" for transient feelings of discomfort. Reserve this phrase for more persistent or recurring health issues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not been well" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, describing a state of health. As supported by Ludwig AI, this phrase indicates that someone has experienced a period of illness or discomfort. It specifies a condition of lacking good health.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not been well" is a grammatically correct and commonly used way to describe a state of poor health. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as a predicate adjective phrase, conveying information about someone's physical or emotional condition. While versatile, it's important to distinguish it from more transient discomforts. It appears frequently in scientific and news contexts. When writing, consider the duration and severity of the health issue to ensure it's the most fitting expression. Alternatives like "unwell" or "not feeling well" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

been unwell

Replaces "well" with its antonym, creating a direct substitute.

not feeling well

Uses a more active verb phrase to describe the state of health.

not in good health

Emphasizes the state of health in a more formal manner.

under the weather

Uses an idiomatic expression to indicate a mild illness.

suffering from ill health

Highlights the experience of dealing with health issues.

in poor condition

Describes a general state of being unhealthy or weakened.

ailing

Uses a single word to denote a state of sickness or poor health.

not at their best

Indicates a temporary decline in physical or mental condition.

struggling with health

Focuses on the challenges faced due to health problems.

experiencing health issues

Broadly refers to ongoing or recent problems with one's health.

FAQs

What's a simple way to say someone is "not been well"?

You can say they are "unwell" or "not feeling well", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "not been well"?

Use "not been well" to describe a prolonged period of illness or a condition that has persisted for some time. It suggests more than just a momentary feeling of sickness.

Is it better to say "has not been well" or "has not been feeling well"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "has "not been feeling well"" often implies a more temporary or recent condition, while "has not been well" can suggest a more ongoing or chronic state.

What are some more formal alternatives to "not been well"?

Formal alternatives include "in "poor health"" or "suffering from a "health condition"" for situations requiring a more serious or professional tone.