a horrible feeling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a horrible feeling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an unpleasant emotional state or sensation that someone is experiencing. Example: "As she walked into the empty house, she was overcome by a horrible feeling of dread."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Lifestyle

Health

Books

TV & Radio

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's a horrible feeling when you feel it's no longer in your grasp," said their head coach, Tom O'Connor, who blamed himself for the defeat.

The Guardian - Sport

"I hate the start of races because I have a horrible feeling in my stomach and I feel sick but the adrenalin kicks in and gets you going".

BBC

"How we felt after the game in the dressing room is a horrible feeling and it is chalk and cheese with how we feel today".

The Guardian - Sport

"It's a horrible feeling," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

But it was a horrible feeling".

The New York Times

He added: "It's a horrible feeling.

The New York Times

And that was a horrible feeling for me.

The New York Times

I was completely stuck and it was a horrible feeling.

The Guardian - Sport

"If I lost, it would be a horrible feeling".

The New York Times - Sports

But I gotta say, I've got a horrible feeling".

The Guardian

Gossage figures it must be a "horrible feeling" for hitters.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a "horrible feeling", be specific about its physical and emotional manifestations to create a vivid image for the reader. For example, instead of just stating "I had a horrible feeling", describe the physical sensations like a knot in your stomach or a cold sweat, and the emotional sensations like anxiety or dread.

Common error

Avoid using "a horrible feeling" as a generic descriptor for any negative situation. Instead, explore more nuanced language to convey the specific emotion or sensation. Using more precise vocabulary will make your writing more impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a horrible feeling" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence, describing a state of negative emotion. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use in diverse contexts to express unease, dread, or anxiety.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sports

20%

Lifestyle

15%

Less common in

Health

10%

Books

5%

TV & Radio

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a horrible feeling" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe an unpleasant emotional state or premonition. Ludwig AI's analysis reveals that it's frequently used in various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Sports, and Lifestyle, indicating its widespread applicability. While it effectively conveys a sense of unease, exploring more specific and nuanced language can enhance writing impact. Alternatives such as "a dreadful sensation" or "a sinking feeling" can offer richer descriptions, and it's crucial to avoid overuse of the phrase as a generic descriptor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a sinking feeling

Conveys a sense of impending doom or failure.

a dreadful sensation

Replaces "horrible" with "dreadful" emphasizing the intensity of fear or apprehension.

a gut-wrenching emotion

Emphasizes the intense, visceral nature of the negative feeling.

an awful premonition

Substitutes "feeling" with "premonition", focusing on a sense of foreboding about the future.

a chilling presentiment

Uses "chilling" to highlight the fear-inducing aspect and "presentiment" for a sense of future dread.

a sickening sense

Emphasizes the physical discomfort associated with the negative emotion.

a terrible intuition

Replaces "feeling" with "intuition", highlighting a strong, negative instinct.

a disturbing emotion

Focuses on the unsettling nature of the feeling, replacing "horrible" with "disturbing".

a nagging anxiety

Focuses on persistent worry or unease, using "nagging" to describe the feeling.

an uneasy sentiment

Indicates a lack of comfort or peace, using "uneasy" and "sentiment" to soften the impact.

FAQs

How can I use "a horrible feeling" in a sentence?

You can use "a horrible feeling" to describe an unpleasant emotional state or a negative premonition. For instance, "She had "a horrible feeling" that something bad was about to happen" or "The news gave him "a horrible feeling" in the pit of his stomach".

What are some alternatives to saying "a horrible feeling"?

You can use alternatives like "a dreadful sensation", "an awful premonition", or "a sickening sense" to convey similar meanings.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a horrible feeling"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase "a horrible feeling" follows standard English grammar rules and is widely used to describe an unpleasant emotion or sensation.

What's the difference between "a horrible feeling" and "a sinking feeling"?

"A horrible feeling" is a general expression of unease or negativity, while "a sinking feeling" specifically implies a sense of impending doom or failure. The latter is more specific in its connotation.