feel broken

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feel broken" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a sense of emotional or psychological distress, often indicating feelings of sadness or hopelessness. Example: "After the loss of her friend, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was broken inside."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

HuffPost

Vice

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Linguistically experimental, the narrative is adept at expressing experience "so hard to put into words", capturing what it's like to feel "broken in this broken place", and emotions as "dark and roiling" as the weather.

The Guardian - Books

"They feel broken".

The New York Times

I feel broken.

The Guardian - Books

Three weeks after the election, I still feel broken.

The Washington Post

I don't feel fragile and I don't feel broken.

The Guardian

I've never given a subject more time and concentration only to feel broken before the task.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

If you feel breaking up is best for you do it.

WikiHow

It feels broken.

Independent

Everything felt broken inside.

University of California, Berkeley

We felt broken.

The Guardian

I just felt broken.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feel broken" to describe a state of emotional distress or a sense of being damaged after a difficult experience. Ensure that the context clearly indicates emotional rather than physical damage.

Common error

Avoid using "feel broken" when describing physical discomfort or injury. Instead, use it specifically to convey emotional or psychological distress. Physical states are better described using terms like "feel sore" or "feel injured".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feel broken" primarily functions as a descriptor of an emotional state, using the verb "feel" to link the subject with the adjective "broken". As supported by Ludwig AI and the provided examples, it describes a state of emotional distress.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

HuffPost

15%

Vice

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "feel broken" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a state of emotional distress. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively conveys a sense of damage or fragmentation. Its usage spans across various contexts, with news and media being the most frequent. While alternatives like "feel shattered" or "feel devastated" exist, "feel broken" offers a direct and widely understood way to articulate emotional pain. Be mindful to differentiate between emotional and physical states when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feel shattered

Emphasizes a more intense and fragmented sense of being emotionally damaged.

feel devastated

Highlights the overwhelming nature of the emotional distress.

feel crushed

Suggests a feeling of being suppressed or overwhelmed by circumstances.

feel wounded

Implies a sense of emotional injury or pain.

feel defeated

Focuses on a loss of hope and a sense of failure.

feel undone

Suggests a feeling of being unraveled or dismantled.

feel fragmented

Highlights a sense of being disjointed or lacking wholeness.

feel ruined

Implies that something valuable has been irreparably damaged.

feel emotionally wrecked

Emphasizes the severe emotional impact of a situation.

feel damaged

Focuses on the long-lasting impact of negative experiences.

FAQs

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

You can use "feel broken" to describe a state of emotional distress or a sense of being damaged after a difficult experience. For example, "After the loss of her job, she couldn't help but "feel broken" inside".

What are some alternatives to "feel broken"?

Alternatives include "feel shattered", "feel devastated", or "feel crushed". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "feel broken"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Feel" is a verb, and "broken" functions as an adjective describing the emotional state. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

What's the difference between "feel broken" and "feel defeated"?

"Feel broken" emphasizes a sense of damage or fragmentation, while "feel defeated" focuses on a loss of hope and a sense of failure. Both describe negative emotional states, but the focus differs.