feel conscious about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feel conscious about" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used when expressing awareness or concern regarding a particular issue or situation, but it is better to use more standard expressions. Example: "She tends to feel conscious about her appearance when she is in public."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

They've spent years reveling in the intense competition and violent collisions so central to the sport, but this is the first time these NFL diehards feel conscious about what happens to players when they become unconscious.

Huffington Post

Although schoolchildren may be averse to sharing opinions on certain topics with participants from the opposite sex [ 55], it was felt that the target age group in the present study were not yet at the stage of adolescence where they would feel conscious about honestly and openly sharing their views and opinions in front of their peers [ 16].

BMC Public Health

Gender differences were observed, with girls, especially those who were less active, more likely to cite the negative influence of peers on their levels of PA and how this made them feel conscious about participating in PA in front of others.

BMC Public Health

If you feel conscious about wearing larger pants, try wearing ones with nice colors on it or patterns rather than just beige/brown color!

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Some stopped participating in group activities and felt conscious about being publicly Muslim".

The Guardian

Many find it hard to concentrate during conversations because they feel self conscious about how they appear to the other person.

WikiHow

I do feel quite conscious about it.

The Guardian

"It makes me feel very conscious about my surroundings," Cohen said, according to the Guardian's account of the trial.

The New Yorker

"They feel self conscious about doing it if there are other people in a room".

Huffington Post

If you feel self conscious about food in your braces, eat foods in public that are much less likely to get stuck in them, such as applesauce, bananas, lunch meat, pasta, cheese, pudding, and muffins.

WikiHow

It was not a piece of fanmail, but a PR push that began with "research" about how many women felt self conscious about their body during sex.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more common alternatives like "feel self-conscious about" or "be concerned about" for clarity and impact. Using more widely recognized phrasing will often resonate better with your audience.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on the phrase "feel conscious about". While grammatically acceptable, it can become repetitive and may weaken your writing. Vary your phrasing by using more precise synonyms to improve the flow and engagement of your text.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feel conscious about" functions as a verb phrase expressing a state of awareness or concern regarding something. Ludwig indicates that it's not the most common phrasing. This contrasts with more direct expressions of self-awareness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "feel conscious about" expresses a state of awareness or concern. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig suggests it's not the most common or preferred phrasing. Alternatives like "feel self-conscious about" or "be concerned about" are generally clearer and more widely used. The phrase appears across various contexts, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples, but its use should be considered carefully to ensure clarity and impact. It's best to opt for more standard expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feel self-conscious about

This alternative is more commonly used and implies a heightened awareness of oneself, often in a negative way.

be self-aware of

Similar to 'feel self-conscious' but can sometimes indicate a more balanced and less negative understanding of oneself.

feel aware of

This alternative is more neutral and suggests simply being mindful of something.

be concerned about

This alternative emphasizes worry or anxiety about something.

feel uneasy about

This alternative highlights a sense of discomfort or anxiety.

have concerns about

This alternative emphasizes having specific worries or issues related to something.

be mindful of

This alternative suggests being attentive or careful about something.

feel sensitive to

This alternative indicates a heightened emotional or physical response.

feel apprehensive about

This alternative suggests anxiety or fear about something that might happen.

be aware of

This alternative is a general term for knowing or realizing something.

FAQs

What does "feel conscious about" mean?

The phrase "feel conscious about" generally means to be aware or mindful of something, often with a sense of self-awareness or concern. However, it is less common than alternatives like "feel self-conscious about" or "be concerned about".

Is it grammatically correct to say "feel conscious about"?

While not strictly incorrect, "feel conscious about" is considered less common and potentially awkward. It's generally better to opt for clearer and more widely accepted alternatives, such as "feel self-conscious about".

What can I say instead of "feel conscious about"?

You can use alternatives like "feel self-conscious about", "be aware of", or "be concerned about" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "feel conscious about"?

Although less frequent than synonyms, "feel conscious about" is appropriate when you want to express a sense of awareness or mindfulness, particularly in situations where you want to imply sensitivity to external factors or internal states. Consider alternatives such as "feel aware of" or "be mindful of" for greater clarity.