feel suspense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feel suspense" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used when describing the emotions or reactions of a person who is experiencing suspense in a particular situation. For example: "As the movie reached its climax, the audience could feel the suspense building in the theater."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Often suspenseful fictions include many surprises, and one can feel suspense if they think a surprise is up ahead.

SEP

How can a reader or viewer feel suspense in relation to an outcome he knows in advance?

The New York Times

It's hard to feel suspense as a reader when even the protagonist keeps guessing out loud about what's happening to him.

Independent

Most children will feel suspense during the trial and sympathy for all the movie's characters (aside from Uncle Lon, who remains an unredeemed villain).

The New York Times

3. [Yet] we feel suspense in response to fictions we know the outcomes of" ("The Paradox of Suspense II The Problem," The Journal of Film, Art and Aesthetics, Jan . 14 , 2012

The New York Times

And the emotional misidentification view denies that we do feel suspense on repeated encounters with a narrative, despite appearances.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Do the Right Thing was really the first movie I'd seen that not only entertained me – it made me laugh and I felt suspense – but it also really made me examine the world that I lived in.

The Guardian - Film

A lot of people feel the suspense genre is like slumming.

The New York Times

It was easy for the audience to feel the suspense involved in the moment of extension and then the audacity involved in that transfer of weight: those girls were aiming those legs straight at us.

The New York Times - Arts

Robert Yanal offers a resolution to the paradox by denying the third premise, that repeaters feel genuine suspense on repeated encounters with familiar narratives.

SEP

Can't you just feel the suspense?

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feel suspense" to vividly describe a character's emotional state when they are uncertain about an outcome and fear a negative result. It adds depth and realism to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "feel suspense" in situations where the outcome is already obvious or lacks genuine risk. Overusing it in such contexts can diminish its impact and make your writing seem melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feel suspense" functions as a verb phrase where "feel" is the verb indicating the experience of an emotion, and "suspense" is the noun representing that emotion. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is grammatically sound and widely recognized.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "feel suspense" is a grammatically correct and relatively common phrase used to describe the experience of being in a state of anxious uncertainty. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is typically used when describing the emotions or reactions of a person who is experiencing suspense in a particular situation. Its usage spans across various contexts, including news, media, and even scientific discussions. While alternative phrases like "sense the tension" or "experience anticipation" exist, "feel suspense" directly captures the emotion associated with uncertain outcomes. When writing, it's best to reserve this phrase for situations with genuine risk and uncertain results, avoiding overuse to maintain its impact. The phrase is well-supported by authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sense the tension

Highlights the underlying tension that creates the feeling of suspense.

witness mounting tension

Emphasizes observing the increase in tension that creates suspense.

experience anticipation

Focuses on the anticipation aspect rather than the direct feeling of suspense.

be gripped by anticipation

Highlights the feeling of being tightly held by the expectation of what is to come.

be on edge

Describes a state of nervousness and heightened awareness associated with suspense.

detect a sense of foreboding

Focuses on a negative feeling of impending doom associated with suspense.

await with bated breath

Emphasizes the act of waiting anxiously, a common element of suspense.

be in a state of uncertainty

Highlights the uncertainty and lack of information.

perceive the uncertainty

Focuses on the perception of uncertainty related to suspense.

experience a thrill

Captures the exciting aspect of suspenseful situations.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "feel suspense" in a sentence?

Use "feel suspense" to describe a character's internal state when they are anxiously awaiting an uncertain outcome. For example: "As the clock ticked down, she could "feel suspense" building within her."

What are some alternatives to "feel suspense"?

You can use alternatives like "sense the tension", "experience anticipation", or "be on edge" to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

Is it grammatically correct to say "feel suspense"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Feel" is a verb, and "suspense" is a noun that acts as the object of the verb, describing the emotion being experienced.

What's the difference between "feel suspense" and "feel tension"?

"Feel suspense" implies a specific emotion of anxious uncertainty about an outcome, while "feel tension" suggests a more general state of strain or pressure, which may or may not involve uncertainty.