a question of feeling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a question of feeling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing matters that are subjective or based on emotions rather than objective facts. Example: "When it comes to art, it's often a question of feeling rather than strict rules."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"It's a question of feeling, a question of how you master the car.

The New York Times - Sports

Whatever it is that separates the book from its big screen incarnation is a question of feeling and atmosphere as much as anything solid.

The Guardian - Books

"It is not a question of feeling sorry for him.

BBC

It wasn't a question of feeling generous and tossing a dollar at a beggar child on the street.

Huffington Post

This was followed by a question of feeling familiar (very familiar, somewhat familiar and not familiar) with CE drugs.

BMC Family Practice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

I remember Prunella Scales' performance as HMQ in the TV version of Alan Bennett's A Question of Attribution in 1992, and feeling a frisson in seeing an actor presuming to play the living Queen with sympathy and intimacy.

The Guardian - Film

'I suppose it was a question of not feeling satisfied, wanting to make my own drama,' she says.

The Guardian

It was a question of association and feeling.

The Economist

"It's a question of who is feeling more vulnerable".

The Guardian

This is not a question of anti-American feeling, exactly, because the missing persons, so to speak, of greatest concern here are Japanese: the leaders and institutions who seem to have abandoned their ties to the daily lives of our people.

The New York Times

According to Huzell [ 24], however, it is rather a question of the employees feeling insecurity about how the work should be done or in what way the organization will change.

BMC Public Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a question of feeling" when emphasizing that a decision or assessment is based on subjective experience or emotional response, rather than objective facts or data.

Common error

Avoid using "a question of feeling" as a blanket explanation to dismiss the need for logical reasoning or factual evidence. Balance emotional considerations with objective analysis for well-rounded decision-making.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a question of feeling" typically functions as a qualifier or explanation, indicating that a particular assessment, decision, or preference is rooted in subjective experience or emotional response. Ludwig shows examples where this applies to mastering a car or the atmosphere of a book.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a question of feeling" is a grammatically sound phrase used to highlight that something is subjective and based on emotions or personal preferences, rather than objective facts. Ludwig AI verifies this with real-world examples primarily from News & Media and Science sources. While generally neutral in tone, it's important to balance emotional considerations with objective analysis and be aware of more formal alternatives like "a matter of emotion" or "a subjective assessment" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a matter of emotion

Replaces "feeling" with "emotion", emphasizing the emotional aspect.

a matter of sentiment

Substitutes "feeling" with "sentiment", highlighting a more refined or tender emotion.

a subjective assessment

Focuses on the subjective nature of the evaluation, removing the direct reference to emotion.

a personal judgment

Emphasizes the individual's perspective and opinion in the assessment.

a matter of personal taste

Highlights the role of individual preferences in the decision or assessment.

a question of intuition

Replaces "feeling" with "intuition", emphasizing instinctive understanding.

a matter of instinct

Similar to intuition, but emphasizes a more primal or inherent response.

down to individual perception

Focuses on how each person interprets or experiences something.

dependent on emotional response

Highlights the dependency of the situation on the emotional reaction.

determined by emotional state

The outcome depends on current emotional condition or mood.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "a question of feeling"?

You can use alternatives like "a matter of emotion", "a subjective assessment", or "a personal judgment" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a question of feeling"?

It's appropriate when the subject is based on emotions rather than objective facts. For example, in art, taste, or personal preference.

Is "a question of feeling" formal or informal?

The phrase is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives may be preferred in academic writing.

What is the difference between "a question of feeling" and "a question of fact"?

"A question of feeling" relates to subjective experiences or emotions, while "a question of fact" concerns objective truths that can be verified.