a rough feeling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a rough feeling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an emotional state or a vague sense of discomfort or unease about a situation. Example: "After hearing the news, I had a rough feeling that things were not going to turn out well."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

So there was a rough feeling about gauging the public upset was around these areas".

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Would you like to smell like cheese, and have cheesy fingers, and have a strange rough feeling on the top of your mouth, but not actually really ever taste any cheese, and every time you try to eat a crisp it melts into nothing beneath the moist heat of your tongue?

Vice

Since the finer perturbations were supplied by the microfacet distribution, we simply added on a texture that had large, very slight dips in the surface to give an overall rough feeling to the ice.

Stanford University

If you're having a rough patch, feeling like you just can't remember what attracted you to him in the first place, wondering what possessed you to marry her... just smile and behave yourself in a kind, gentle way.

WikiHow

It was rough feeling responsible but somehow disempowered from doing anything about it".

The Guardian

That rough feeling.

Vice

The fluidness of the dolly combined with the rough feeling of the zooms and the shifting focus contrast and blend with each other in the same way that I wanted the material and staid surface to contrast with the depth of the character's feelings. .

Vice

At least you might get rough feeling of what is inside and what could be asked.

WikiHow

Then your project can be tight and rough feeling, as opposed to soft, with some cushion to it.

WikiHow

The more obvious, "pretty" harmonic elements are in the background (those sad, mournful Gurf Morlix licks, echoing the melody, played on guitar and violin), which allows Williams's voice to stand out up front, full of rough feelings and an abrasive sadness.

The New Yorker

This back cover has a deliberately rough texture, feeling like the surface of a nail file, which offers a great tactile feel and excellent grip.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a rough feeling", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you're referring to a physical sensation or an emotional state. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a rough feeling" in ambiguous contexts where it's unclear if you're describing a physical texture or an emotional state. Add clarifying details to prevent misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a rough feeling" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "rough" modifies the noun "feeling". As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to describe either a physical sensation or an emotional state. The specific meaning depends heavily on context.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a rough feeling" is a grammatically correct and understandable expression used to describe either an unpleasant physical sensation or an emotional state of discomfort or unease. As Ludwig AI confirms, context is key to interpreting its meaning. While versatile, it is relatively infrequent and leans toward neutral or informal register. For clarity, particularly in formal or technical contexts, consider alternatives like "unease" or "coarse texture" depending on the intended meaning. The phrase's communicative power lies in its ability to convey a subjective experience, but its impact can be enhanced by providing sufficient contextual cues.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unpleasant sensation

Focuses on the sensory aspect of the feeling, emphasizing its disagreeableness.

a nagging discomfort

Highlights the persistent and bothersome nature of the feeling.

a sense of unease

Emphasizes the lack of comfort and potential anxiety associated with the feeling.

a disturbed feeling

Indicates a disruption or agitation in one's emotional state.

a jarring sensation

Highlights the abrupt and disruptive quality of the feeling.

an abrasive sentiment

Emphasizes the harsh and irritating emotional tone of the feeling.

an uneasy impression

Focuses on the feeling's subtle yet unsettling nature.

a grating emotion

Highlights the irritating and unpleasant quality of the feeling.

a raw emotion

Emphasizes the unfiltered and intense nature of the feeling.

an acute awareness of discomfort

Specifies the intensity and clarity of the unpleasant feeling.

FAQs

How can "a rough feeling" be interpreted differently in different contexts?

The phrase "a rough feeling" can describe both physical sensations, like a coarse texture, and emotional states, such as unease or discomfort. Context is key to understanding the intended meaning.

What's a good alternative to "a rough feeling" when describing a physical sensation?

If you're describing a physical sensation, alternatives like "a coarse texture", "a scratchy surface", or "an uneven feel" might be more precise.

What are some alternatives to "a rough feeling" when describing an emotional state?

When describing an emotional state, you can use alternatives like "a sense of unease", "a nagging discomfort", or "a disturbed feeling" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a rough feeling" considered formal or informal language?

The phrase "a rough feeling" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. It's acceptable in most everyday conversation and writing, but more formal contexts might benefit from more precise or sophisticated language.