Common Mistakes with the Verb ‘feel’
The verb ‘feel’ is often misused by English learners because it can describe both physical sensations and emotional states, and its past tense and past participle forms are irregular. The most common mistakes involve using ‘felt’ incorrectly in present tense, confusing ‘feel’ with ‘feel like’, and applying the wrong preposition after the verb. This guide directly addresses these errors with clear explanations and practical examples so you can use ‘feel’ accurately in writing, conversation, and email.
Quick Answer: How to Use ‘Feel’ Correctly
Use ‘feel’ for present physical or emotional states (I feel tired). Use ‘felt’ for past states (I felt happy yesterday). Do not use ‘felt’ in present tense. Use ‘feel like’ to express desire (I feel like coffee) or to give an opinion (It feels like a good idea). Avoid adding ‘myself’ after ‘feel’ in most cases (say “I feel nervous,” not “I feel myself nervous”).
Understanding the Verb Forms
To avoid mistakes, you must know the three main forms of ‘feel’:
| Base Form | Past Tense | Past Participle |
|---|---|---|
| feel | felt | felt |
Because the past tense and past participle are the same, learners sometimes use ‘felt’ in present tense sentences. This is the most frequent error.
Common Mistake 1: Using ‘Felt’ in Present Tense
Incorrect: I felt tired today. (when you mean right now)
Correct: I feel tired today.
Why it happens: Many irregular verbs have different past forms (e.g., go/went), but ‘feel’ uses the same word for past and past participle. Learners often overgeneralize and use the past form in present contexts.
Context note: In casual conversation, some native speakers might say “I felt tired today” if they are referring to the entire day that is not yet over, but this is informal and can be confusing. In formal writing or careful speech, use present tense for current states.
Natural Examples
- I feel cold. Can you close the window?
- She feels nervous before every exam.
- We feel that this policy needs to be reviewed.
Common Mistakes
- ❌ He felt hungry right now.
- ✅ He feels hungry right now.
- ❌ They felt happy about the news this morning (if the news just arrived).
- ✅ They feel happy about the news this morning.
Common Mistake 2: Confusing ‘Feel’ and ‘Feel Like’
‘Feel’ describes a state or emotion. ‘Feel like’ can mean “want” or “seem.”
| Expression | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I feel a headache | I am experiencing a headache | I feel a headache coming on. |
| I feel like a headache | I want a headache (rare, usually figurative) | I feel like a headache is coming. |
| I feel coffee | I physically sense coffee (e.g., warmth) | I feel the warmth of the coffee cup. |
| I feel like coffee | I want to drink coffee | I feel like coffee this morning. |
Common error: Using ‘feel like’ when you mean a physical sensation, or using ‘feel’ when you mean a desire.
Natural Examples
- I feel like going for a walk. (desire)
- It feels like rain today. (seems)
- I feel a sharp pain in my back. (sensation)
- She feels like she needs a break. (opinion)
Better Alternatives
When you want to express a desire, ‘feel like’ is natural in conversation. In formal email, use ‘would like’ or ‘want’:
- Informal: I feel like pizza tonight.
- Formal: I would like to order pizza tonight.
- Informal: I feel like this plan is risky.
- Formal: I believe this plan carries risk.
Common Mistake 3: Adding ‘Myself’ Unnecessarily
Many learners add ‘myself’ after ‘feel’ because they think it emphasizes the subject. This is almost always incorrect.
Incorrect: I feel myself happy.
Correct: I feel happy.
When ‘feel myself’ is correct: Only when you mean physically touching yourself or regaining self-awareness after illness.
- I feel myself getting stronger every day. (gradual change)
- After the accident, I couldn’t feel myself properly. (physical sensation)
In most emotional or opinion contexts, drop ‘myself’.
Natural Examples
- I feel proud of my work.
- She feels confident about the presentation.
- We feel ready for the challenge.
Common Mistake 4: Wrong Prepositions After ‘Feel’
Different emotions and sensations require different prepositions. Here is a comparison table for common patterns:
| Emotion/Sensation | Correct Preposition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Feel + emotion | No preposition | I feel sad. |
| Feel + about | about | How do you feel about the decision? |
| Feel + for | for (sympathy) | I feel for you in this difficult time. |
| Feel + like | like (desire/seem) | I feel like a cup of tea. |
| Feel + as if/as though | as if/as though | I feel as if I’ve known you for years. |
| Feel + up to | up to (capable) | I don’t feel up to going out tonight. |
Common error: Using ‘feel of’ or ‘feel to’ incorrectly.
- ❌ I feel of the fabric.
- ✅ I feel the fabric. (no preposition needed)
- ❌ I feel to go home.
- ✅ I feel like going home.
Formal vs. Informal Use in Email and Conversation
In professional email, ‘feel’ is common but should be used carefully:
- Informal conversation: “I feel like we should change the plan.”
- Formal email: “I feel that we should consider alternative options.”
- Very formal: “It is my feeling that we should explore other possibilities.”
Avoid ‘feel like’ in formal writing. Use ‘believe’, ‘think’, or ‘consider’ instead.
Mini Practice: Test Your Understanding
Choose the correct option for each sentence.
- I _____ very tired after the long flight yesterday.
a) feel
b) felt
c) feeled - She _____ like watching a movie tonight.
a) feels
b) is feeling
c) felt - How do you _____ the new policy?
a) feel about
b) feel of
c) feel for - I _____ myself embarrassed when I forgot the name.
a) feel
b) felt
c) don’t need ‘myself’
Answers:
- b) felt (past time: yesterday)
- a) feels (present desire)
- a) feel about (opinion about something)
- c) don’t need ‘myself’ (correct: I felt embarrassed)
FAQ: Common Questions About ‘Feel’
1. Is it “I feel bad” or “I feel badly”?
Use “I feel bad” to express sadness or guilt. “I feel badly” is technically incorrect in this context; it would mean your sense of touch is impaired. In standard English, “I feel bad” is correct for emotions.
2. Can I say “I am feeling” instead of “I feel”?
Yes, but there is a nuance. “I feel tired” is a general state. “I am feeling tired” emphasizes the current moment or a temporary condition. Both are correct, but the continuous form is more common in conversation for temporary states.
3. What is the difference between “I feel for you” and “I feel with you”?
“I feel for you” means you sympathize. “I feel with you” is less common and suggests shared emotion. In most situations, “I feel for you” is the natural choice.
4. How do I use ‘feel’ in past perfect tense?
Use “had felt.” Example: “She had felt nervous before the interview, but she calmed down afterward.” This is used to describe a feeling that happened before another past event.
Final Tips for Using ‘Feel’ Correctly
To master the verb ‘feel’, remember these three rules:
- Use ‘feel’ for present, ‘felt’ for past. Never use ‘felt’ for now.
- Use ‘feel like’ for desires and opinions, not for physical sensations.
- Do not add ‘myself’ after ‘feel’ unless you mean physical touch or recovery.
For more practice with verb forms, visit our Past Tense Forms and Past Participle Forms sections. If you have questions about other common verb errors, check our Common Verb Mistakes category. For general questions, see our FAQ page.
