feel ambivalent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feel ambivalent" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to have mixed or conflicting feelings about something. Example: I feel ambivalent about quitting my job. On one hand, I am tired of the long hours and stressful workload. But on the other hand, I am worried about finding a new job and maintaining my current salary.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I feel ambivalent about that.

The Guardian - Books

I used to feel ambivalent about cucumbers.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

You can feel ambivalent about that, because you should feel ambivalent".

The New York Times - Books

Mr. Caws has good reason to feel ambivalent about it.

The New York Times - Arts

People seem to feel ambivalent about their own tongues.

The New York Times

McLane adds, with her signature dry wit, "My great vocation was not to feel ambivalent".

The New York Times - Books

BOTH immigrants and host country often feel ambivalent about the way they live together.

The Economist

To feel ambivalent about all this is part of the deal.

The New York Times - Arts

AMERICANS love college sports, but lately it's easy to feel ambivalent about it.

The Economist

Problems arise, Dr. Kastner said, when parents feel ambivalent or resentful.

The New York Times

"I didn't feel ambivalent about the money, not at all," she said.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "feel ambivalent", ensure the context clearly indicates the subject towards which the ambivalence is directed. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "feel ambivalent" when a stronger term like "dislike" or "love" is more appropriate. "Feel ambivalent" implies mixed feelings, not a lack of strong emotion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feel ambivalent" functions as a verb phrase expressing a state of mixed or conflicting emotions. It indicates that the subject experiences both positive and negative feelings towards a particular thing or situation, as exemplified by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "feel ambivalent" is a common and grammatically correct way to express mixed or conflicting feelings about something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it accurately conveys having both positive and negative sentiments. The phrase appears frequently in various contexts, particularly in news and media, and can be used in neutral register. When using "feel ambivalent", ensure the context clearly specifies the subject of ambivalence and that you are not trying to suggest a stronger emotion where ambivalence is inappropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

experience mixed feelings

This alternative uses "experience" to convey the feeling and "mixed feelings" to emphasize the blend of emotions.

be torn between

This alternative highlights the internal conflict and difficulty in choosing between options.

harbor conflicting emotions

This alternative uses "harbor" to suggest holding onto the feelings and "conflicting emotions" to highlight the internal conflict.

waver between

This alternative emphasizes the fluctuation between different feelings or opinions.

be of two minds

This idiom conveys the sense of being torn between two options or feelings.

hold two opposing views

This alternative explicitly states the presence of contradictory perspectives.

have doubts about

This alternative focuses on the uncertainty and hesitation associated with ambivalence.

have reservations about

This alternative expresses a degree of hesitation or unease regarding something.

feel uncertain

This option focuses on the lack of clarity and confidence in one's feelings or opinions.

sit on the fence

This idiom describes indecision and neutrality, often implying a reluctance to commit to one side.

FAQs

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

You can use "feel ambivalent" to express mixed or conflicting feelings about something. For example, "I "feel ambivalent" about the new policy; I see both its advantages and disadvantages."

What can I say instead of "feel ambivalent"?

You can use alternatives like "experience mixed feelings", "be of two minds", or "waver between" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I am ambivalent"?

Yes, "I am ambivalent" is grammatically correct. It directly states that you possess mixed feelings about something, similar to "I "feel ambivalent"".

What's the difference between "feel ambivalent" and "feel indifferent"?

"Feel ambivalent" implies having mixed or conflicting feelings, while "feel indifferent" means lacking interest or concern. Ambivalence involves a struggle between opposing feelings, whereas indifference involves a lack of feeling altogether.