feel lonely

USAGE SUMMARY

"feel lonely" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe how someone is feeling in a particular moment. For example: "John felt lonely as he sat in his empty apartment."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Emotions and feelings reported were: Do you feel lonely?

BMC Public Health

Feelings of loneliness were asked about with a similar spread of responses; 'always feel lonely' to 'never feel lonely'.

BMC Geriatrics

"I feel lonely".

Independent

Make me feel lonely.

The New Yorker

"Yes, I feel lonely.

The Washington Post

The child won't feel lonely".

Independent

Did he feel lonely?

The Guardian

Suddenly I feel lonely".

The New York Times - Books

"I feel lonely now".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Feeling lonely?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She felt lonely.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing loneliness, provide context to explain the cause of the feeling. For example, specify whether it stems from social isolation, loss, or a lack of meaningful connection.

Common error

Loneliness is a complex emotion. Instead of just stating that someone "feel lonely", delve deeper into what contributes to that feeling. Is it the absence of specific people, the lack of meaningful interactions, or a more profound sense of disconnection?

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feel lonely" functions primarily as a descriptive phrase, indicating a state of emotional isolation. It expresses a subjective experience of being alone or disconnected, as affirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

33%

Lifestyle

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "feel lonely" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a sense of emotional isolation, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's important to remember that loneliness is a subjective experience that doesn't necessarily equate to being physically alone. The examples from Ludwig reveal its use across various contexts, from personal narratives to academic discussions, indicating a neutral register. When writing about loneliness, it's most effective to provide context and explore the underlying causes of this complex emotion. Alternatives such as "feel isolated" or "feel alone" can be used to convey slightly different shades of meaning, allowing for a more nuanced expression of this universal human experience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feel isolated

Highlights a sense of being cut off or separated from others, emphasizing a lack of connection.

feel alone

Focuses on the state of being by oneself, which can, but doesn't always, imply sadness or longing.

experience loneliness

Emphasizes the sensation of loneliness as something actively undergone.

suffer from loneliness

Highlights the negative impact and distress caused by loneliness.

be overcome with loneliness

Suggests a strong and sudden wave of lonely feelings.

feel a sense of isolation

Emphasizes intellectual or emotional separation from others.

feel disconnected

Indicates a lack of emotional or social bonding with people around you.

feel like an outsider

Suggests a feeling of not belonging or fitting in with a group.

yearn for companionship

Implies a deep longing for the presence and support of others.

miss having someone around

Highlights the absence of someone specific and the comfort they provided.

FAQs

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

You can use "feel lonely" to describe a state of emotional isolation. For example, "After moving to a new city, she began to "feel lonely" despite being surrounded by people."

What can I say instead of "feel lonely"?

Alternatives to "feel lonely" include "feel isolated", "feel alone", or "experience loneliness", each carrying slightly different connotations.

Is it grammatically correct to say "feel lonely"?

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

What's the difference between "feel lonely" and "be lonely"?

"Feel lonely" describes the subjective emotional experience of loneliness, while "be lonely" describes the objective state of being alone or isolated. You can "feel lonely" even when you're not "be lonely".