feel hopeless

USAGE SUMMARY

'feel hopeless' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a person's emotions or outlook on a particular situation. For example, "John has been dealing with a difficult situation and now he's starting to feel hopeless."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Now people feel hopeless.

The New York Times

You can feel hopeless.

The Guardian - Film

"People feel hopeless.

The Guardian

But I don't feel hopeless.

The Guardian - Books

Words feel hopeless right now".

The Guardian

"I began to feel hopeless, useless.

Stanford University

But I don't feel hopeless,' she says.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"They could feel hopeless – we don't want that.

Independent

And once you're thinking like that, you feel hopeless.

Harvard Business Review

You don't have to feel hopeless about what's next.

The New York Times - Style

"You feel hopeless because producing is almost not worth it".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "feel hopeless", consider the context and choose more specific language if possible. For example, instead of saying "I feel hopeless about my career", you could say "I feel discouraged about my job search" to convey a more nuanced emotion.

Common error

While "feel hopeless" is acceptable in general writing, overuse can weaken your message. In formal or professional contexts, opt for more precise terms like "despondent", "pessimistic", or "disheartened" to convey a more sophisticated understanding of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feel hopeless" functions primarily as a predicate adjective, where "feel" acts as a linking verb connecting the subject to the adjective "hopeless". This describes the subject's emotional state or condition. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

30%

Science

28%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "feel hopeless" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey a sense of despair and lack of optimism. Ludwig AI validates its usage across numerous contexts, from news articles to academic papers. While widely accepted, consider more specific alternatives in formal settings to enhance precision, like "despondent", "pessimistic", or "disheartened". Understanding its function, purpose, and level of formality contributes to more effective and nuanced communication. The frequency data indicates that "feel hopeless" occurs most often in news and media, academic, and scientific sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feel despair

Indicates a complete loss or absence of hope, suggesting a more profound and intense emotional state.

lose hope

Suggests a process of gradually giving up on a positive expectation or outcome.

be without hope

Emphasizes the absence of any hopeful prospects or possibilities.

feel despondent

Describes a state of low spirits and discouragement, often accompanied by a sense of resignation.

feel defeated

Implies a sense of being overcome by obstacles or setbacks, leading to a loss of motivation.

feel pessimistic

Indicates a tendency to expect negative outcomes or believe that things will go wrong.

feel discouraged

Suggests a loss of confidence or enthusiasm due to difficulties or disappointments.

feel helpless

Highlights a sense of inability to change a situation or influence an outcome.

fall into despair

Signifies a transition into a state of hopelessness

be in despair

Signifies the state of being hopeless

FAQs

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

You can use "feel hopeless" to describe a state of despair or lack of optimism. For example, "After repeated failures, he began to "feel hopeless" about his chances of success."

What are some alternatives to "feel hopeless"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "feel despair", "lose hope", or "feel discouraged".

Is it grammatically correct to say "feel hopeless"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Feel" is a linking verb, and "hopeless" is an adjective describing the state of being.

What's the difference between "feel hopeless" and "feel helpless"?

"Feel hopeless" implies a lack of optimism about the future, while "feel helpless" suggests an inability to change a situation. You might "feel hopeless" about finding a job in a tough economy, and "feel helpless" to improve your skills.