a little feeling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a little feeling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small amount of emotion or sentiment in a particular context. Example: "After watching the movie, I was left with a little feeling of nostalgia for my childhood."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Start by centering yourself so you don't feel overwhelmed; studies have found that, paradoxically, a little feeling of detachment actually promotes empathy.

University of California, Berkeley

"But, when I talk to them, at least I feel that they have a little understanding, a little feeling, of what happened to a Muslim cop".

The New Yorker

Do you lean forward a little, feeling a longing to get right to that task?

University of California, Berkeley

A little kissing, a little feeling up, but nothing beyond that.

The New Yorker

Hopefully, it gives you a little feeling of where I was at during that time of my life".

The New York Times

"The whole dynamic of having an Oreo, eating an Oreo, sharing an Oreo gives you a little feeling like a child again," he added.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

But I have a sneaky little feeling we might do better than a lot of people are thinking".

Independent

"There's a nice little feeling around the place," Clayton told BBC Tees.

BBC

I zone out a little, suddenly feeling shattered.

The Guardian - Money

LM: I have a little different feeling at this point, different than what I would have thought at the 25th.

Princeton University

This gave me a little sick feeling.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a little feeling" to express a nuanced or subtle emotion, particularly when describing internal states or reactions to external stimuli. Be mindful of the context to ensure the understatement aligns with the intended meaning.

Common error

While "a little feeling" is acceptable, overuse in formal writing can dilute the impact. Consider more precise or descriptive alternatives like "a surge of emotion" or "a sense of foreboding" for greater clarity and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a little feeling" functions as a noun phrase, where "feeling" is the noun and "a little" acts as a determiner modifying the noun. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, with examples showing its descriptive capacity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a little feeling" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a subtle emotion or sensation. Ludwig AI confirms this, providing numerous examples from reputable sources. While versatile, it's most frequently found in news and media, academia, and informal contexts. For more formal writing, consider alternatives like "a touch of sentiment" or "a hint of emotion" for enhanced clarity. Remember, using precise language tailored to your context will strengthen your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A hint of emotion

Substitutes "feeling" with "emotion" and "little" with "hint", suggesting a subtle emotional experience.

A touch of sentiment

Replaces "feeling" with a more formal synonym, "sentiment", and "little" with "touch", indicating a delicate emotion.

A whisper of emotion

Uses "whisper" to describe the quiet and understated nature of the emotion.

A slight sense

Replaces "feeling" with "sense", broadening the scope to include sensory perceptions, and "little" with "slight", denoting a minimal impact.

A mild impression

Shifts the emphasis to the impact of an experience, describing it as gentle and minimal.

A shadow of a feeling

Emphasizes the subtlety and fleeting nature of the feeling, suggesting it's barely perceptible.

A tinge of sensation

Uses "tinge" instead of "little", implying a faint presence of a sensation rather than a defined feeling.

A small inkling

Indicates an initial, vague sense of something, replacing "feeling" with "inkling" to suggest intuition.

A trace of sentimentality

Conveys a minimal degree of emotional expression, specifically emphasizing sentimentality.

A faint awareness

Focuses on the conscious recognition of a sensation or emotion, using "faint" to describe its intensity.

FAQs

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

You can use "a little feeling" to describe a subtle emotion or sensation. For example, "She had "a little feeling" of unease as she walked down the dark street."

What's a more formal way to express "a little feeling"?

In formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "a touch of sentiment" or "a hint of emotion" to convey a similar meaning with greater precision.

Is it correct to say "a little feelings"?

No, the correct phrase is "a little feeling". "Feeling" is used as a singular noun to describe a general sensation or emotion.

What's the difference between "a little feeling" and "a strong emotion"?

"A little feeling" indicates a subtle, mild emotion, while "a strong emotion" suggests an intense and powerful sentiment. The choice depends on the degree of emotion you want to convey.