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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
not feeling properly
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "not feeling properly" is not correct in standard English; it should be "not feeling well." You can use it when describing a state of health or well-being, typically in informal contexts.
Example: "I'm not feeling well today, so I think I'll stay home and rest."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Science
Wiki
News & Media
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
1 human-written examples
These aspects were related to students not feeling properly prepared to teach a fellow students as well as the presence of competition.
Science
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
59 human-written examples
When you're feeling properly autonomous, continue reading.
Wiki
However, most reported not feeling confident they properly understood the various possible components of ACP: I think, maybe for me, it was when I worked in (locality) which was over two years ago, we started to go to GSF meetings...over the last two or three years it's been coming in but now a little bit more formally and a little bit more structured I suppose (Community Staff Nurse).
Science
Parents who have sought out Hughes' support group had in common "knowing something was very wrong and not feeling their concerns were properly responded to", she said.
News & Media
Not feeling this".
News & Media
Not feeling faint?
News & Media
Not feeling energetic?
News & Media
Not feeling creative?
News & Media
Not feeling the foodies?
News & Media
Not feeling it?
News & Media
Not feeling a beanie?
Wiki
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Instead of saying "not feeling properly", use the more grammatically correct and widely accepted phrase "not feeling well" to describe a state of poor health or discomfort.
Common error
Avoid using "properly" to modify "feeling" when describing health. "Properly" typically refers to actions performed correctly, not to states of being. Saying "not feeling properly" sounds awkward; instead, opt for "not feeling well" or "feeling unwell."
Source & Trust
78%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase functions as a description of a state of being, specifically related to health or well-being. While Ludwig indicates it's not standard English, the intended meaning is generally understood. It attempts to convey a sense of not functioning or feeling as one should.
Frequent in
News & Media
33%
Science
33%
Wiki
33%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, while understandable, the phrase "not feeling properly" is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI suggests that the correct alternative is "not feeling well". Although it appears in diverse sources, including news and scientific articles, its usage is infrequent. For clear and grammatically sound communication, particularly in formal contexts, it's best to opt for alternatives like "feeling unwell" or "not in good health". Using these alternatives ensures your message is accurately and effectively conveyed.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
not feeling well
Replaces "properly" with "well", correcting the grammatical structure while maintaining the meaning of lacking good health or well-being.
feeling unwell
Uses "unwell" as a single-word adjective to describe a state of poor health, offering a more concise and grammatically sound alternative.
not feeling good
Substitutes "properly" with "good", providing a simpler and more common way to express a lack of physical or emotional well-being.
not in good health
Rephrases the sentiment to directly address the state of health, making it clear that one's physical condition is lacking.
not up to par
An idiomatic expression indicating that one is not performing or feeling as well as usual, suitable for informal contexts.
under the weather
Another idiomatic expression that conveys a mild illness or a general feeling of being unwell.
not functioning correctly
Shifts the focus to functionality, suggesting that something is not working as it should, whether physically or mentally.
not at one's best
Implies a temporary state of reduced capability or well-being, suitable for situations where one is not performing optimally.
not quite right
A vague but common way to express that something feels off or amiss, whether physically or emotionally.
poorly
Uses a single word to describe the state of being in bad health, which is more straight-forward.
FAQs
What's the correct way to say I'm not feeling well?
The correct way to express that you are experiencing discomfort or illness is to say "I'm "not feeling well"". Alternatives include "I feel unwell" or "I'm not feeling good".
Is "not feeling properly" grammatically correct?
No, "not feeling properly" is not grammatically correct in standard English. The correct phrase is ""not feeling well"". Using "properly" implies something is not being done correctly, rather than describing a state of health.
What can I say instead of "not feeling properly"?
Instead of "not feeling properly", you can use alternatives like ""not feeling well"", "feeling unwell", or "not feeling good" depending on the context.
Which is correct, "not feeling properly" or "not feeling well"?
"Not feeling well" is the correct and commonly accepted phrase. "Not feeling properly" is grammatically awkward and not standard English.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
78%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested