feel like being

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feel like being" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a desire or a feeling of wanting to do something or be somewhere. For example, "I feel like being alone for a while."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Music

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I didn't feel like being like this.

The Guardian - Film

Right now, I feel like being grumpy".

The New York Times - Sports

"I feel like being an independent gives me more choices".

The New York Times

"I feel like being mellow for a while".

The New York Times

He didn't feel like being spartan or stoic, or whatever.

The New Yorker

What's it feel like being famous for… The biggest failed investigation in history?

The New York Times

"I didn't feel like being part of the experiment," he said.

The New York Times

She shrank back and told me she didn't feel like being touched tonight.

The New Yorker

"I feel like being in a glittering ocean liner," said Chris Mitchell, the publisher of GQ.

The New York Times

Seeing these features up close can feel like being let in on a secret.

The New Yorker

TRAVELLING on a plane can sometimes feel like being trapped in a germ incubator.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feel like being" to express a current desire or inclination towards a particular state or activity. For example, "I feel like being productive today", indicates a desire to accomplish tasks.

Common error

Ensure the tense of "feel like being" aligns with the intended timeframe. Using it to describe past desires or inclinations may require adjusting the sentence structure. For example, instead of saying "I felt like being go to the beach yesterday", say "I felt like going to the beach yesterday".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feel like being" functions as a linking verb phrase, connecting the subject to a state of being or an action the subject desires or is inclined towards. As confirmed by Ludwig, it indicates a current feeling or inclination.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

25%

Music

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "feel like being" is a versatile phrase used to express a current desire or inclination toward a specific state or activity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use in written English. It functions as a linking verb phrase, primarily found in news, media, and informal contexts. While it is most commonly used to convey subjective feelings and intentions, users should be mindful of maintaining tense consistency to avoid errors. Its alternatives include phrases like "feel inclined to be" or "be in the mood to be", depending on the context and desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feel inclined to be

Emphasizes a natural tendency or predisposition toward a certain state or action.

have the desire to be

Focuses specifically on the presence of a wish or longing.

be in the mood to be

Highlights a temporary state of mind that influences one's preferences.

want to be

A more direct and straightforward expression of wanting a particular state.

desire to be

A more formal way of expressing a wish or longing.

be tempted to be

Highlights the allure or attractiveness of a particular state or action.

be disposed to be

Indicates a readiness or willingness towards a certain state.

be so inclined to be

Similar to 'feel inclined to be' but often used in a slightly more formal or ironic way.

have a yen to be

Uses 'yen' to denote a strong craving or yearning.

fancy being

A British English idiom expressing a wish or inclination.

FAQs

How can I use "feel like being" in a sentence?

Use "feel like being" to express a desire for a particular state or activity. For example, "I "feel like being" alone right now", or "I "feel like being" creative today".

What's the difference between "feel like being" and "feel like I am"?

"Feel like being" expresses a desire or inclination towards a state, while "feel like I am" describes a current state or condition. For example, "I "feel like being" happy" means you want to be happy, whereas "I feel like I am happy" means you perceive yourself as currently happy.

What can I say instead of "feel like being"?

You can use alternatives like "feel inclined to be", "be in the mood to be", or "want to be" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I don't feel like being"?

Yes, it is perfectly correct. "I don't "feel like being"" expresses a lack of desire or inclination towards a particular state or activity. For example, "I don't "feel like being" around other people today".