not feeling too well

USAGE SUMMARY

"not feeling too well" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a person is unwell or not feeling physically well. For example, "I'm sorry I'm not able to make it to the meeting today; I'm not feeling too well."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"I'm not feeling too well," she says.

The Guardian

"I'm not feeling too well right now," Mauer said.

The New York Times

"I was dehydrated and not feeling too well," Hernandez said.

The New York Times - Sports

He tells himself, maybe I have a niggle or a problem, I am not feeling too well, but I'm going to try it anyway.

The Guardian - Sport

On this one tired night, he couldn't remember Booth's name, couldn't remember which play they acted in, and after ad-libbing for a minute or two, he got up saying: "I'm sorry lad, you'll have to excuse me, I'm not feeling too well," and staggered off the stage.

The Guardian

Not feeling too well at that moment, I reluctantly gave my okay.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

"I wasn't feeling too well because I knew that he was playing better".

The New York Times - Sports

Lots of people up there aren't feeling too well". Instead, she is considering an ultramarathon in Namibia.

Stanford University

"When you're working in spacelike conditions and aren't feeling too well, you miss Korean food".

The New York Times

No one in the family had been terribly sick before Stachybotrys was discovered in their walls, but they aren't feeling too well right now.

The New York Times - Magazine

He wasn't feeling too well in the 400 freestyle relay, but I'm willing to give him a chance to step up tomorrow night and hopefully win the relay".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not feeling too well" in professional communication, consider adding a brief explanation if possible. For example, 'I'm not feeling too well today, so I'll be working from home.'

Common error

While "not feeling too well" is acceptable in many situations, avoid overusing it in highly formal or professional settings. Opt for more specific and descriptive language, such as 'experiencing a migraine' or 'recovering from a cold', to provide clarity and maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not feeling too well" primarily functions as a subjective description of one's health status. It indicates a state of being unwell, though typically implying a less severe condition than simply "not feeling well". As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and used to express discomfort or illness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

24%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not feeling too well" is a grammatically correct and commonly understood phrase used to describe a state of being unwell. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's an acceptable way to communicate discomfort or mild illness. It's most frequently found in News & Media, Academia, and Wiki sources, indicating its broad applicability across different registers. While generally appropriate for everyday conversation, it's advisable to use more specific language in formal contexts. Consider alternatives like "under the weather" or "feeling unwell" for variety. However, in professional settings, it is better to be more specific and descriptive. Use it wisely and consider your audience!

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feeling unwell

A more direct and slightly more formal way of expressing the same sentiment.

under the weather

A common idiom for feeling slightly unwell.

slightly ill

A more direct way of saying someone is experiencing a mild sickness.

not in good health

More formal and emphasizes the overall state of health.

a bit sick

Indicates a mild state of being unwell, commonly used in informal contexts.

not at my best

Emphasizes a temporary decline in physical or mental condition.

poorly

A simple, direct synonym for feeling sick.

out of sorts

Suggests a vague feeling of discomfort or unease.

not up to par

Suggests a decline from the usual level of performance or health.

not myself today

Indicates a deviation from one's normal state, implying physical or emotional discomfort.

FAQs

What does it mean to say that someone is "not feeling too well"?

Saying someone is "not feeling too well" means they are experiencing some form of sickness or discomfort, but it's usually implied that it's not a severe or life-threatening condition.

What are some alternative ways to say "I'm not feeling too well"?

You can use alternatives like "under the weather", "feeling unwell", or "a bit sick" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "not feeling too well" in a formal email?

It can be used, but in formal communication, it's often better to be more specific. For example, you could say "I'm experiencing a headache" or "I'm dealing with a cold".

What's the difference between "not feeling too well" and "not feeling well"?

The phrase "not feeling too well" implies a slightly milder condition than "not feeling well". The addition of "too" softens the statement, suggesting the discomfort isn't severe.