feel strained

USAGE SUMMARY

"feel strained" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone is feeling tense or uncomfortable in a certain situation. For example: "After hours of discussing the issue, the team started to feel strained."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

The engine doesn't feel strained even when climbing hills with a full load of Presbyterians.

The New York Times

While such places often feel strained or touristy, this didn't, perhaps because the guides live in the village.

The New York Times - Travel

Just as strikingly, "Black Radio" is the rare album of its kind that doesn't feel strained by compromise or plagued by problems of translation.

The New York Times - Arts

The novel's frequent chronological shifts feel strained and jarring, but the narrative effectively dramatizes the tensions between family and career, perfectionism and compromise.

The New Yorker

But the attempts to interpret this story in light of the characters' difficulties feel strained and the redemptive lunar imagery is as heavy-handed as the larkiness and lavatory jokes.

Independent

Some of its attempts at hipness, like the bottles on each table labelled "Iloveoliveoil," feel strained, but the dark wood and the leather seats exude an upscale cool that's borne out in the menu.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

At breakfast the next day, Christmas morning, I felt strained and tight.

The New York Times

Where the album has swells and ebbs like a jam session, the show felt strained and limp.

The New York Times - Arts

Yet while the evening features four actresses -- Ms. Parker, Kristine Nielsen, Amy Sedaris and Marylouise Burke -- who are experts in making loopiness seem logical, the play's wackiness mostly feels strained and imposed.

The New York Times

In her earlier novels the poetry sometimes felt strained, overcooked, but here she finds a new restraint that not only intensifies the beauty of her language but feels truer and more profound.

The Guardian - Books

He later went on to criticize the storyline between McPhee and Hilty, believing that Hilty was "obviously superior" to McPhee and that the storyline felt "strained".

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "feel strained", consider specifying the source of the strain to provide more context and clarity for your reader. For example, instead of just saying "I feel strained", you could say "I feel strained by the constant deadlines at work."

Common error

Avoid using "feel strained" without providing any context. Saying "I feel strained" without explanation can leave the reader wondering what is causing the feeling. Be specific about the cause.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feel strained" functions primarily as a linking verb followed by an adjective. It connects the subject (who is feeling) to the state of being strained, indicating a condition of tension or pressure. As Ludwig AI confirms, it expresses a feeling of being tense or uncomfortable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

26%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "feel strained" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a sense of tension, pressure, or discomfort. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for expressing that someone is feeling tense or uncomfortable in a given situation. Analysis of Ludwig's examples indicates that the phrase is most frequently used in News & Media and Science contexts, with a neutral register, making it appropriate for a wide range of writing styles. Consider specifying the source of the strain to provide greater clarity. Related phrases include "feel stressed", "feel pressured", and "feel tense", which can offer subtle variations in meaning depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feel stressed

This alternative directly indicates a state of mental or emotional pressure.

feel pressured

This alternative emphasizes the external forces causing the feeling of strain.

feel tense

This alternative highlights the physical manifestation of strain, such as muscle tightness.

feel overwhelmed

This alternative conveys a sense of being unable to cope with the amount of stress or pressure.

feel burdened

This alternative suggests a feeling of being weighed down by responsibilities or problems.

feel stretched thin

This alternative describes a state of being overextended and lacking resources.

feel anxious

This alternative focuses on the worry and unease associated with strain.

feel on edge

This alternative conveys a sense of nervousness and irritability.

feel frazzled

This alternative describes a state of exhaustion and disarray caused by stress.

feel like I'm at the end of my rope

This alternative expresses a feeling of desperation and inability to continue.

FAQs

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

You can use "feel strained" to describe a state of mental or physical tension caused by stress or pressure. For instance, "After the long meeting, I began to "feel pressured" and strained."

What are some alternatives to "feel strained"?

Alternatives include phrases like "feel stressed", "feel pressured", or "feel tense". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "feel strained" or "are strained"?

"Feel strained" describes a subjective experience, whereas "are strained" describes a condition. For example, "I feel strained" refers to your personal experience, while "resources are strained" describes the state of the resources.

What's the difference between "feel strained" and "feel stretched"?

"Feel strained" suggests tension and pressure, while "feel stretched" implies being extended beyond normal capacity. You might "feel stretched thin" when you have too many responsibilities, and "feel strained" when those responsibilities create tension.