was unwell

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was unwell" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who was not feeling healthy or was ill in the past. Example: "After a week of feeling unwell, she finally decided to visit the doctor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Garrick was unwell, however.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He certainly knew he was unwell.

The Guardian - Books

A friend asked if I was unwell.

The Guardian - Books

I was unwell after the operation.

The Guardian

He was unwell, but his voice was still strong.

The New Yorker

According to a letter from his lawyer, he was unwell.

The New York Times

Before the final, there were rumours Ronaldo was unwell.

The Guardian - Sport

There were no warnings that my father was unwell.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I was unwell and exhausted, and I blew it.

The Guardian - Money

"We kept saying Sean was unwell but nothing was done.

The Guardian

When Nyah had a rash and was unwell, we took her to A&E.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's condition, consider the audience and context. "Was unwell" is suitable for general use but might be replaced by more specific terms in medical or formal contexts. For example, instead of saying "The patient was unwell", use "The patient presented with symptoms of pneumonia."

Common error

While "was unwell" is perfectly acceptable, avoid relying on it excessively in formal writing. Instead, diversify your language with more precise terms such as "suffered from an illness", "experienced a health issue", or specific medical diagnoses when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was unwell" functions as a descriptive phrase indicating a past state of not being in good health. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a grammatically sound way to describe someone's condition. Examples show its use across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was unwell" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe a past state of poor health. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and broad applicability. It functions to inform and provide context, fitting seamlessly into neutral registers like news reporting and personal storytelling. Although widely applicable, be mindful to vary your language and use more specific terms when appropriate, especially in formal or medical settings. Consider alternatives such as "felt sick" or "was ailing" to maintain clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wasn't feeling well

A simple and direct way to express a lack of well-being.

felt sick

Uses simpler and more direct language to describe illness.

was under the weather

An idiomatic expression indicating mild illness.

experienced illness

More formal and emphasizes the experience of being ill.

was indisposed

A formal term suggesting a temporary state of being unfit or unwilling to perform duties due to illness.

had an ailment

More formal and suggests a specific, though perhaps minor, health problem.

was ailing

More formal and emphasizes a gradual decline in health.

was out of sorts

Suggests a mild and temporary feeling of being unwell or not in good condition.

suffered from poor health

Highlights a prolonged or chronic state of not being healthy.

had a health issue

A more general term that can refer to various health problems.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone "was unwell"?

Saying someone "was unwell" means that they were experiencing a state of poor health or illness. It's a general way to indicate that they weren't feeling well or were suffering from some kind of ailment.

What can I say instead of "was unwell"?

You can use alternatives like "felt sick", "was ailing", or "was indisposed" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "was unwell" or "was sick"?

Both "was unwell" and "was sick" are correct, but "was sick" is more common in informal contexts, while "was unwell" can be perceived as slightly more formal or euphemistic. Choose the phrase that best fits the tone of your writing.

Can "was unwell" be used to describe mental health?

Yes, "was unwell" can be used to describe both physical and mental health. However, when discussing mental health, consider using more specific and sensitive language to accurately convey the individual's experience.