not feeling well

USAGE SUMMARY

'not feeling well' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
An example sentence would be "I'm sorry I cannot attend tonight, as I'm not feeling well."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He added, "Not feeling well".

The New Yorker

Lissie is not feeling well.

Independent

Jeannie's not feeling well".

The New Yorker

He's not feeling well".

The Guardian - Books

You're not feeling well?

The New York Times

Not feeling well at all.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Charles (Samuel) Pierre is not feeling well.

The New Yorker

She's not feeling well today.

The New Yorker

"I am not feeling well," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

And she is not feeling well herself.

The New York Times

"My wife's upstairs not feeling well.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When communicating that you are "not feeling well", be specific about the symptoms if further clarification is needed. For example, "I'm not feeling well; I have a headache and a fever."

Common error

While "not feeling well" is acceptable, avoid relying solely on this phrase in professional or medical contexts. Provide specific symptoms or reasons to ensure clear communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not feeling well" functions primarily as a declarative statement to express a state of poor health or discomfort. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It serves to inform others about one's current physical condition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not feeling well" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that someone is experiencing discomfort or illness. Ludwig AI validates its usability in various contexts. It appears frequently in news, scientific, and business sources, indicating its widespread acceptance. While versatile, providing additional details about specific symptoms can enhance clarity. Consider alternatives like "under the weather" or "feeling unwell" for nuanced communication. The phrase serves primarily to inform others about your health status and potentially request accommodations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feeling unwell

This phrase is a direct synonym, simply replacing 'not feeling' with 'feeling' and negating the 'well'.

sick

This is a straightforward and common term for being in poor health.

under the weather

This is an idiom that conveys a mild illness or feeling unwell.

a bit off

This suggests a mild feeling of being unwell or not quite right.

out of sorts

This idiom suggests a general feeling of discomfort or being slightly unwell.

not up to par

This idiom indicates that someone is not performing or feeling as well as usual.

poorly

This is a more concise way to express the same idea, indicating sickness or ill health.

ailing

This word implies a more prolonged or chronic state of being unwell.

indisposed

This is a more formal way of saying someone is slightly unwell and unable to perform their usual duties.

laid up

This implies being confined to bed or home due to illness.

FAQs

How can I politely say I am "not feeling well"?

You can use phrases like "under the weather", "a bit off", or "feeling unwell" depending on the context. These are generally considered polite ways to indicate you're sick without going into excessive detail.

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

"Sick" typically implies a more definitive illness. "Not feeling well" can encompass a broader range of discomfort, including mild symptoms or a general sense of unease that may not qualify as a full-blown illness.

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

Yes, it's generally acceptable. However, in more formal situations, consider adding a brief explanation, such as "I am "not feeling well" and will be taking a sick day" or use the word "indisposed".

What are some alternative ways to say a child is "not feeling well"?

You could say they are "under the weather", "a bit poorly", or "not themselves today". These phrases are gentle ways to convey that a child is sick or uncomfortable.