feel good/bad vs feel well/unwell
1. Is "I am feeling good/bad" about a state of mind and good or bad mood?
2. Is the phrase "I am feeling well" or "I am not feeling well" about a sort of physical condition, good health/ illness?
3. Are both expressions "feel good" and "feel well" common and grammaticaly correct?
4. Is "feel" in such expressions a linking verb? If so, should we use adjective instead of adverb after that verb?
I am a bit confused.

Question

feel good/bad vs feel well/unwell
1. Is "I am feeling good/bad" about a state of mind and good or bad mood?
2. Is the phrase "I am feeling well" or "I am not feeling well" about a sort of physical condition, good health/ illness?
3. Are both expressions "feel good" and "feel well" common and grammaticaly correct?
4. Is "feel" in such expressions a linking verb? If so, should we use adjective instead of adverb after that verb?
 I am a bit confused.

Answer

Hi,
You're not confused.  You have it correct.  Mostly.
The correct term, in either case, is well.  I am not feeling well relates to either physical or mental well being.  It relates to your condition.
To feel good relates more to your spiritual sense. 
 "I feel good today!  Things are going my way.  I have a new job.  I have a date this week.  I just wish I felt a bit better.  I don't feel well today.  I have a headache."
It has become common to interchange well and good.  But it is similar to exchanging mad and angry.

I hope this helps,
Thanks,
Stephen

Answers · 2

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