was not feeling well

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was not feeling well" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone's state of health, indicating that they are unwell or experiencing discomfort. Example: "She decided to stay home from work because she was not feeling well."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I used to not feel part of society because I am fat so I was not feeling well," she says.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She was not feeling well, and wanted to go home.

The New York Times

I was not feeling well, because it had died.

The New Yorker

The explanation was that he was not feeling well.

The New York Times - Sports

If Tebow was not feeling well, it did not show.

The New York Times

My mother told me she was not feeling well and was lying down in her bedroom.

The New York Times - Magazine

He left work soon after, saying he was not feeling well.

The Washington Post

Rich Steenburg's wife was not feeling well on Saturday, and was not in the limousine.

The New York Times

He represented his Mother, who was not feeling well, at Mr. Thorp's funeral.

The New Yorker

When we got back to the hotel we learned that Shawn was not feeling well.

The New York Times - Arts

He had been gaming for 18 hours straight and was not feeling well.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, consider more precise terms like "ailing" or "indisposed", but in general use, "was not feeling well" is perfectly acceptable.

Common error

While "was not feeling well" is acceptable, avoid repetitive use in a single piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "felt unwell" or describing specific symptoms.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was not feeling well" functions as a predicative adjective phrase. It describes the subject's state of health or well-being, indicating a temporary condition of discomfort or illness. Ludwig AI shows its common usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was not feeling well" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that someone is experiencing discomfort or illness. Ludwig AI confirms its broad applicability across various contexts, from news reports to personal anecdotes. While suitable for general use, more formal alternatives might be preferred in professional or academic settings. Remember to vary your language and avoid overuse by using synonyms like "felt unwell" or "was under the weather".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

felt unwell

Replaces the longer phrase with a more concise expression.

felt sick

A more direct and common way to express feeling ill.

was under the weather

An idiomatic expression for feeling slightly ill.

was ailing

A more formal and less common way to say someone was ill.

was indisposed

A polite and formal way to indicate illness or unwillingness to do something.

experienced discomfort

Focuses on the physical sensation rather than a general state of illness.

wasn't up to par

Indicates a state of being below one's usual level of health or performance.

wasn't in good health

A broader statement about one's overall health condition at the time.

had a complaint

Highlights a specific symptom or health issue.

struggled with wellness

Emphasizes the difficulty in maintaining a healthy state.

FAQs

What are some other ways to say "was not feeling well"?

You can use phrases like "felt unwell", "felt sick", or "was under the weather" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "was not feeling well" in formal writing?

While acceptable, consider more formal alternatives such as "was indisposed" or "was ailing" in professional or academic contexts.

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

The phrases are very similar. "Was not feeling well" is slightly more general, while "was feeling ill" directly implies sickness.

How do I use "was not feeling well" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe someone's health condition, for example, "She stayed home because she was not feeling well".