not feeling very well

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not feeling very well" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a state of poor health or discomfort. Example: "I won't be able to attend the meeting today because I'm not feeling very well."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

I'm not feeling very well.

The Guardian

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

The New York Times - Arts

I am still not feeling very well.

The Guardian - Books

I start deciphering the instruction manual as Evan, the eldest, says: "Mike, I'm not feeling very well".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He took the weekend off, and by Monday morning he was not feeling very well at all.

The New York Times - Health

But as Ms. Feldinger recalls it, "I definitely was not feeling very well all day," she said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

"I wasn't feeling very well," Soni said, "and I was pretty much depressed".

The New York Times - Sports

Shortly after having done so, Frank isn't feeling very well.

The New York Times

Anyway, even though I wasn't feeling very well, I trained in readiness for the next season.

Independent

"With hindsight we should have said, 'Let's put the whole thing on hold until I'm 100 per cent again.' Frankly I wasn't feeling very well".

Independent

Kodak isn't feeling very well.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not feeling very well" in situations where you want to politely decline an invitation or explain a lack of energy without going into extensive detail about your health condition.

Common error

Avoid using "not feeling very well" repeatedly without providing additional context. Overuse can sound vague and may not adequately convey the severity or nature of your discomfort. Consider adding specific details when possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not feeling very well" functions as a declarative statement expressing a state of health. It typically serves as a polite and understated way to communicate illness or discomfort. Ludwig AI confirms this is standard English usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not feeling very well" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a state of poor health or discomfort. According to Ludwig AI, it is usable in written English. It functions as a polite and understated statement, suitable for various contexts, including news, media, and casual conversation. While not overly formal, it is neutral enough for professional settings. For more formal situations, consider alternatives such as "feeling unwell" or "not in good health". Remember to provide additional context if needed to convey the specifics of your condition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feeling unwell

A more concise and slightly more formal way to express a similar sentiment.

under the weather

An idiomatic expression indicating a mild illness or general malaise.

not in good health

A more formal and general way to describe a state of poor health.

a bit sick

A simpler and less descriptive way of indicating illness.

poorly

A single-word adjective indicating a state of ill health.

laid up

Implies being confined due to illness, more specific than just not feeling well.

ailing

A more formal and somewhat old-fashioned term for being unwell.

out of sorts

Suggests a general feeling of discomfort or being not quite oneself.

under the আফগানিস্তান

A more concise and less descriptive way of indicating illness.

not up to par

Indicates that someone isn't at their best due to illness or fatigue.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "not feeling very well"?

The phrase "not feeling very well" is appropriate when you want to politely indicate that you are experiencing some discomfort or illness without going into specific details. It's suitable for casual conversations and professional communications where a brief explanation is sufficient.

What's the difference between "not feeling very well" and /s/feeling+unwell?

"Not feeling very well" is a more conversational and less formal way to express that you are experiencing some discomfort. "Feeling unwell" is a slightly more formal and direct way of conveying a similar meaning.

Are there any alternatives to "not feeling very well" for formal situations?

Yes, in formal situations, you can use phrases such as "not in good health", "experiencing some health issues", or "under medical care", depending on the context.

How can I provide more context when saying I'm "not feeling very well"?

To provide more context, you can add a brief explanation of your symptoms, such as "I'm not feeling very well; I have a headache" or "I'm not feeling very well; I think I'm getting a cold". This provides more information without being overly detailed.