Common Mistakes with the Verb ‘feel’

The verb feel is one of the most frequently misused verbs in English, even by advanced learners. The core problem is that feel can describe physical sensations, emotions, opinions, and even the texture of objects—and each use follows different grammar rules. This guide directly addresses the most common errors, explains why they happen, and gives you clear, correct alternatives for real writing, email, study, and everyday conversation.

Quick Answer: The Two Main Rules for ‘feel’

Before diving into the details, remember these two essential rules:

• Rule 1: When describing your own emotions or physical state, use feel + adjective (e.g., “I feel tired”). Do not use an adverb after feel in this context.
• Rule 2: When describing an opinion or belief, use feel + that + clause (e.g., “I feel that this is wrong”). Do not drop the word that in formal writing.

Mistake 1: Using an Adverb Instead of an Adjective After ‘feel’

This is the most common error. Learners often write “I feel badly” when they mean “I feel bad.” The word feel is a linking verb when it describes a state, so it connects the subject to an adjective, not an adverb.

Why it happens

Many verbs (like run, speak, eat) are action verbs and take adverbs: “She runs quickly.” But feel is often a state verb, not an action verb. You are not performing the action of “feeling” in the same way you perform an action like running.

Comparison Table: Adjective vs. Adverb After ‘feel’

Important exception: When you mean “to touch something with poor ability,” you can say “I feel badly” (meaning your sense of touch is impaired). This is rare. In 99% of cases, use the adjective.

Mistake 2: Confusing ‘feel’ with ‘think’ or ‘believe’

Many learners use feel when they mean think or believe, especially in professional emails. While feel can express an opinion, it often sounds less confident or more emotional than think.

Formal vs. Informal Context

• Informal / Conversation: “I feel we should change the plan.” (Acceptable, friendly tone)
• Formal / Email: “I think we should change the plan.” or “I believe we should change the plan.” (More professional and decisive)
• Very formal / Report: “It is my opinion that we should change the plan.” (Best for official documents)

Natural Examples

• Conversation: “I feel like we’ve been here before.” (Natural, casual)
• Email to a colleague: “I feel that the deadline is too tight. Can we discuss it?” (Acceptable, but “I think” is stronger)
• Email to a client: “We believe this solution meets your requirements.” (More professional than “We feel”)

Mistake 3: Forgetting ‘that’ in Formal Writing

In informal speech, we often drop the word that after feel: “I feel we need more time.” This is fine in conversation. However, in formal writing (emails, reports, academic work), you should include that.

When to use it

• Informal (no ‘that’): “I feel we should go now.”
• Formal (with ‘that’): “I feel that we should proceed with the revised timeline.”

Mistake 4: Using ‘feel’ for Physical Sensations Incorrectly

When describing how something feels to touch, use feel + adjective (e.g., “The fabric feels soft”). When describing how you physically feel, use feel + adjective (e.g., “I feel cold”). Do not use feel like for direct physical sensations.

Common Mistakes

• Incorrect: “I feel like cold.” (This means you want to be cold, or you resemble coldness)
• Correct: “I feel cold.” (Direct physical sensation)
• Incorrect: “The soup feels like hot.”
• Correct: “The soup feels hot.”

Note: “I feel like” is correct when you mean “I want” or “I have the impression”: “I feel like going for a walk” (I want to go) or “I feel like it’s going to rain” (I have the impression).

Better Alternatives for Common ‘feel’ Mistakes

Natural Examples in Context

In Conversation

• “I feel terrible about forgetting your birthday. I’m so sorry.” (Emotion + adjective)
• “This chair feels uncomfortable. Can we switch seats?” (Texture + adjective)
• “I feel like we should take a break. We’ve been working for hours.” (Opinion + like + clause)

In Email

• “Dear Team, I feel that the current approach is not efficient. I suggest we review the process.” (Formal, includes ‘that’)
• “I feel confident about the project’s success.” (Emotion + adjective, professional)
• “Please let me know how you feel about the proposed changes.” (Opinion, polite)

In Writing (Academic or Professional)

• “The researcher feels that further study is necessary.” (Formal opinion)
• “Participants reported feeling anxious during the experiment.” (Emotion + adjective)
• “The material feels rough to the touch, indicating low quality.” (Texture + adjective)

Mini Practice: Test Your Understanding

Choose the correct option for each sentence. Answers are below.

1. After the long flight, I feel _____ .
   a) badly
   b) bad
2. She _____ that the proposal needs more work.
   a) feels
   b) feels like
3. The blanket _____ warm and cozy.
   a) feels
   b) feels like
4. I _____ going to the cinema tonight.
   a) feel
   b) feel like

Answers

1. b) bad – You are describing your physical state (tired, unwell). Use the adjective.
2. a) feels – In formal writing, use “feels that” for opinions. “Feels like” is more casual.
3. a) feels – Direct physical sensation: “feels warm.” “Feels like warm” is incorrect.
4. b) feel like – “Feel like + verb-ing” means you want to do something.

FAQ: Common Questions About ‘feel’

1. Is it ever correct to say “I feel badly”?

Yes, but only in the rare case that you mean your sense of touch is impaired. For example: “After the accident, I feel badly in my fingers.” In everyday English, always use “I feel bad” for emotions or physical state.

2. What is the difference between “I feel” and “I am feeling”?

Both are correct, but the simple present (“I feel”) is more common for general states. The present continuous (“I am feeling”) emphasizes the current moment. Example: “I feel tired today” (general) vs. “I am feeling tired right now” (specific moment). In conversation, both are used interchangeably.

3. Can I use “feel” in the past tense? What is the past form?

Yes. The past tense of feel is felt. Example: “Yesterday, I felt sick.” The past participle is also felt. Example: “I have felt better since I rested.” For more on past forms, visit our Past Tense Forms section.

4. How do I use “feel” in a question?

For emotions or physical state: “How do you feel?” For opinions: “How do you feel about the plan?” For texture: “How does this fabric feel?” Do not say “How are you feeling?” is also fine, but “How do you feel?” is more direct.

Final Tips for Using ‘feel’ Correctly

• Always use an adjective after feel when describing a state: feel happy, feel tired, feel cold.
• In formal writing, include that after feel when expressing an opinion.
• Use feel like only when you mean “want to” or “have the impression.”
• For physical textures, use feel + adjective directly: feels smooth, feels rough.
• If you are unsure, replace feel with think or believe in professional contexts to sound more confident.

Mastering the verb feel will make your English sound more natural and professional. For more help with tricky verbs, explore our Common Verb Mistakes category. If you have further questions, please visit our FAQ page or contact us. We also recommend reviewing our Verb Forms Explained section for a deeper understanding of how verbs work in English.