develop a feel

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "develop a feel" is a perfectly valid phrase in written English.
It is often used to indicate that someone is learning and becoming more familiar with something through practice and experience. For example, "He's been playing the piano for several years, and has developed a feel for what sounds good."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

"You develop a feel for the brain," he said.

The New Yorker

Most young pitchers, Newman said, have a good fastball but must develop a feel for the craft.

The New York Times - Sports

He would do it over and over, unknowingly teaching himself to develop a feel for the ball.

The New York Times - Sports

And they need these books read aloud to develop a feel for the flow of words and stories.

The New York Times

The fame game is a lot like the serve and volley; it takes time to develop a feel for when to go for it and when to retreat.

The New York Times

The meticulousness extends to having a replica pitch at St . Georges Park, where England teams train, so the players can develop a feel for the Wembley turf.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

At Lausanne, Gasol developed a feel for the game while dominating lesser competition.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Ackerman, an engineer by training, comes across as an understated scientist who has developed a feel for management.

The New York Times

You have to cultivate an "eye", developing a feel for situations and empathy for those you want to persuade.

The Guardian - Opinion

He saw his first World Series game a year later, and developed a feel for baseball from a distance.

The New York Times - Sports

He had by then developed a "feel" for cometary orbits, and a comet seen in 1737 felt distinctly Swift-Tuttlish to him.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "develop a feel", ensure the context clearly indicates what skill, subject, or area the feel is being developed for. Specificity enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "develop a feel" without specifying the object or area of expertise. For example, instead of saying "He needs to develop a feel", clarify with "He needs to "develop a feel" for the market trends".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "develop a feel" functions as a verb phrase indicating the process of acquiring an intuitive understanding or proficiency in something. It suggests gaining a sense or instinct through experience, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

24%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the expression "develop a feel" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe the process of acquiring an intuitive understanding through experience. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted and found in diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and general writing. To enhance clarity, it's best practice to specify the subject or area for which the feel is being developed. Alternatives such as "gain an understanding" or "acquire proficiency" can be used to convey similar meanings. The phrase maintains a neutral register, suitable for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gain an understanding

Emphasizes the acquisition of knowledge and comprehension.

acquire proficiency

Focuses on becoming skilled and competent in a particular area.

cultivate an intuition

Highlights the gradual development of instinctive knowledge.

get the hang of

Informal expression suggesting the process of learning how to do something.

become accustomed to

Highlights the process of getting used to something through repeated exposure.

grow into

Indicates a gradual process of adapting and becoming comfortable with something.

familiarize oneself with

Stresses the act of learning and understanding something new.

learn the ropes

Idiomatic phrase referring to learning the basics of a job or activity.

get a sense of

Focuses on acquiring an impression or understanding of something.

build an instinct for

Emphasizes the creation of an inherent and intuitive understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "develop a feel" in a sentence?

You can use "develop a feel" to describe gaining intuitive understanding through experience. For instance, "After years of practice, she "developed a feel" for the instrument" or "He needs to "develop a feel" for the company culture".

What does it mean to "develop a feel" for something?

To "develop a feel" for something means to acquire an intuitive understanding or sense of it through experience and practice. It suggests a level of familiarity that goes beyond simple knowledge.

What are some alternatives to "develop a feel"?

You can use alternatives like "gain an understanding", "acquire proficiency", or "cultivate an intuition" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "develop a feel" or "gain experience"?

While both phrases relate to learning, "develop a feel" implies gaining an intuitive sense through practice, whereas "gain experience" is a broader term referring to accumulating knowledge and skills over time. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.