was very unwell

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was very unwell" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is experiencing significant illness or poor health. Example: "After the flu season, she mentioned that she was very unwell for several weeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

She was very unwell.

The Guardian

By this point, he was very unwell.

The Guardian - Opinion

PS: Hearing that Wilko was very unwell made me think a lot about him.

The Guardian - Music

I had to go into hospital and while I was very unwell; I lost my house.

The Guardian

He was aggressive and threatening to me, but his friend was very unwell so I talked him through getting them into the recovery position.

The Guardian

Documents obtained by the Australian and the ABC confirm that Kehazaei's transfer was delayed by bureaucratic obstacles, that the antibiotic treatment to help him had run out on Manus and that Kehazaei was "very unwell" and deteriorating.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

He has been very unwell.

The Guardian

A friend of mine is very unwell.

The Guardian

"He's very unwell, very unwell," a Hazara community member told the Guardian from Nauru.

The Guardian

"I'd been very unwell with quite serious depression for a good year and a half.

The Guardian

Shaker is very unwell in many ways, and he needs to have a complete medical checkup".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For formal documents, be specific about the illness rather than using general phrases like "was very unwell."

Common error

Avoid using "was very unwell" when the situation involves minor discomfort. Overstating the illness can create unnecessary alarm or misrepresent the actual condition. Use a milder expression, such as "was feeling a bit off", for less serious situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was very unwell" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a subject to indicate their state of health. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is usable in written English to describe a significant illness or poor health.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was very unwell" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe someone experiencing a notable period of sickness or poor health. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in diverse writing contexts. While versatile, its appropriateness hinges on the specific context and desired level of formality. For professional or scientific documents, specifying the precise ailment offers improved clarity. Alternatives include phrases like "was seriously ill" or "was in poor health", each carrying subtle variations in meaning and register. Remember to align your language with the severity of the situation to prevent misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was seriously ill

Implies a severe or critical state of health.

was gravely sick

Suggests a very serious and potentially life-threatening illness.

was in poor health

A more general and formal way to describe someone's unwell state.

was ailing badly

Indicates a prolonged period of sickness and decline.

was quite unhealthy

Emphasizes the lack of good health, possibly over a longer duration.

was suffering greatly

Focuses on the distress and discomfort caused by the illness.

was not feeling well

A milder and more common way to express feeling unwell.

was under the weather

An idiomatic expression for feeling slightly unwell.

had a bad case of

Implies a specific illness or condition is causing the unwell state.

was laid up with

Suggests the person was confined due to their illness.

FAQs

What does "was very unwell" mean?

The phrase "was very unwell" means that someone experienced a significant period of sickness or poor health. It suggests more than just a minor ailment but doesn't necessarily imply a life-threatening condition.

What can I say instead of "was very unwell"?

You can use alternatives like "was seriously ill", "was in poor health", or "was ailing badly" depending on the context and severity of the illness.

Is it appropriate to use "was very unwell" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "was very unwell" might be too general for formal writing. Consider specifying the illness or condition for greater clarity and professionalism. Alternatives like "was diagnosed with..." or "experienced..." may be more suitable.

How does "was very unwell" differ from "was slightly unwell"?

"Was very unwell" indicates a more severe or prolonged period of illness compared to "was slightly unwell", which suggests a minor and temporary condition. The former implies a significant impact on daily activities, while the latter does not.