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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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feel broke

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY


The phrase "feel broke" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English. Example: After paying all of my bills, I always feel broke.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"I have a lot of money, but I still feel broke.

When I say I feel broke, I don't mean broke in a financial sense but I still feel like that kid from the gutter who's still trying to get it, even though I'm at the place I want to be".

The middle class may feel "broke," but America is not.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Sure, they may feel broke right now, but they're still in a place where they can say what they would "never" do.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Even if it's just a little every paycheck -- and even if you feel broke right now -- you'll be glad you did. 4. But when you do spend money, keep in mind that you'll remember your 20s based on experiences you've had more than stuff you bought.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Feeling broke?

News & Media

The New Yorker

"I never ever ever felt broke," she told Carter.

News & Media

Huffington Post

On "My Way", he meditates over his rise out of poverty to the "life of a rich thug", recalls the death of his childhood friend Ill Will, and concedes that he "still feels broke with millions in the bank".

However: college towns are still 'towns' and 'towns' are always in possession of non-specialized poor people who don't happen to be 18 and perfect, which is why even at my brokest broke I felt weird about capitalizing on, like, the cheap Hare Krishna dinners that my then-grad-school friends were so jizzed about.

News & Media

Vice

"We all around the table feel it's broke," says Margaret Hodge.

News & Media

The Guardian

Referring to the Trust, she said: "We all around the table feel it is broke.

News & Media

The Guardian
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feel broke" to express a subjective sense of lacking funds, even if you are not technically impoverished. It conveys a feeling of financial constraint or insecurity.

Common error

Avoid using "feel broke" when describing actual, severe poverty. The phrase implies a subjective feeling, not necessarily a verifiable financial status.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feel broke" functions as a subjective descriptor of one's financial situation. Ludwig AI shows that it expresses a personal sense of lacking money, even if not objectively poor. It connects a feeling with a state of financial constraint.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "feel broke" is a common way to express a subjective sense of financial constraint, even if one is not literally impoverished. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and used to convey a feeling of lacking sufficient funds or experiencing financial insecurity. While alternatives like ""feel financially strained"" or ""feel short on funds"" exist, "feel broke" maintains a direct and easily understood expression. It's important to distinguish between the subjective feeling of being broke and the objective reality of actual poverty. The phrase is mostly found in news and media sources and considered to have a neutral, slightly informal register.

FAQs

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

You can use "feel broke" to express a subjective feeling of financial constraint, even if you're not technically poor. For example, "Even though I have a job, I still "feel broke" after paying all my bills".

What's the difference between "feel broke" and being actually broke?

"Feel broke" is a subjective sensation of lacking sufficient funds, while being actually broke implies an objective state of having no money. You can "feel broke" even with some savings, but being broke means you have no money.

What are some alternatives to saying "I feel broke"?

You can use alternatives like "I "feel financially strained"", "I "feel short on funds"", or "I "feel cash-strapped"" to express a similar sentiment.

Is it grammatically correct to say "feel broke"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The verb "feel" can be followed by an adjective, and "broke" functions as an adjective in this context.

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Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: