Saying you are unwell

When somebody asks you 'How are you?' sometimes you do not feel well. English people often lie and say 'Fine'. If you want to tell the truth, here are ten ways of answering.

Ten Expressions to Use In Speaking And Writing

1. Not too good.
2. Not so great.
3. A little under the weather.
4. A bit rough.
5. A bit the worse for wear.
6. Much the same as yesterday.
7. A bit better.
8. As well as can be expected.
9. (I feel) lousy.
10. Bloody awful.

How To Use These Phrases In Your English

1. Phrases 1, 2, 3 and 4 are only a little negative and are fairly polite. But English people may use them when they are feeling very ill.
2. We often use phrase 5 when we did something earlier that has made us feel ill. We often say it the morning after drinking a lot of alcohol, when we have a hangover.
3. We use phrase 6 if the person we are talking to knows that we were ill yesterday also.
4. Phrases 7 and 8 sound positive but usually mean that the speaker still feels quite bad.
5. Phrases 9 and 10 a very strong. It is not normally polite to answer a friendly question so negatively. Only say them to friends and people who you know well.