feel sort of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feel sort of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a vague or uncertain feeling about something. Example: "I feel sort of tired today, but I can't quite put my finger on why."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

I feel sort of unclean.

The New Yorker

You feel sort of bad for everyone.

The New Yorker

You feel sort of expansive.

The Washington Post

"You feel sort of connected to the animal after that".

The New York Times - Arts

Doesn't it quickly feel, sort of, well, awful?

The New York Times

I always feel sort of tennis changes sort of every five years.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

I felt sort of free.

The Guardian

.' I felt sort of ashamed.

The New Yorker

It feels sort of cathartic".

The Guardian - Music

It feels sort of like Politburo favors.

The New York Times

"You felt sort of punchy and spaced out".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine “feel sort of” with adjectives or adverbs to provide more context. For example: "I feel sort of tired" or "I feel sort of bad."

Common error

While "feel sort of" is acceptable, avoid overuse, which can make your writing sound hesitant or lacking confidence. Replace it with more precise language when possible, or choose other alternatives like "feel somewhat" or "feel a bit".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feel sort of" functions as a qualifier to a verb, softening or moderating the intensity of the feeling being expressed. It indicates an approximate or uncertain emotional state, as validated by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "feel sort of" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to express a vague or uncertain feeling. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's generally considered acceptable in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While it's useful for softening statements, avoid overusing it, and consider alternatives like "feel somewhat" or "feel a bit" for greater precision. The phrase's neutral register and high frequency across authoritative sources make it a versatile tool for expressing nuanced emotions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feel somewhat

Replaces "sort of" with "somewhat", indicating a similar degree of approximation.

feel kind of

Replaces "sort of" with "kind of", which is another common informal alternative.

feel a bit

Uses "a bit" instead of "sort of", providing a slightly less formal alternative.

feel a little

Similar to "feel a bit", but with a slightly different phrasing.

feel rather

Substitutes "sort of" with "rather", offering a more formal tone.

feel slightly

Uses "slightly" instead of "sort of", suggesting a minimal degree of feeling.

feel vaguely

Replaces "sort of" with "vaguely", emphasizing the lack of clarity in the feeling.

feel generally

Suggests an overall feeling, instead of a specific or intense one.

have a feeling of

Changes the structure to emphasize the feeling itself.

experience a sense of

Offers a more formal and detached way to describe the feeling.

FAQs

How can I use "feel sort of" in a sentence?

You can use "feel sort of" to describe a vague or uncertain feeling, such as "I "feel sort of" tired today" or "I "feel sort of" uneasy about the situation".

What are some alternatives to "feel sort of"?

Alternatives to "feel sort of" include "feel somewhat", "feel a bit", "feel kind of", and "feel slightly". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it grammatically correct to use "feel sort of"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct, although it's considered informal. It's generally acceptable in everyday conversation and less formal writing.

What's the difference between "feel sort of" and "feel very"?

"Feel very" indicates a strong and definite feeling, while ""feel sort of"" suggests a weaker, more uncertain feeling. For example, "I feel very happy" expresses strong happiness, while "I "feel sort of" happy" indicates a milder, less defined happiness.