feel unworthy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feel unworthy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a sense of inadequacy or lack of self-worth in various contexts, such as personal reflections or discussions about self-esteem. Example: "After receiving criticism, I began to feel unworthy of my achievements and questioned my abilities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Prepare to feel unworthy.

The New York Times

I feel unworthy to be your passenger".

The New Yorker

At the same time, it made me feel unworthy, wondering about the challenges ahead.

The New Yorker

Wrong or right, Sonya really does feel unworthy, ashamed, and anxious.

Harvard Business Review

When society says you are unworthy, you begin to feel unworthy too.

The Guardian - Opinion

I return the gesture, even though I look silly, or at least feel unworthy.

The Guardian

"At times, I've been made to feel unworthy of being alive," she says.

The Guardian

You saw, too, that the system and the stigma makes them continually feel unworthy, like failures.

The Guardian

Don't be embarrassed about your age or feel unworthy of your position.

The Guardian

There used to be theories that deep down narcissists feel unworthy, but recent research doesn't support this.

The New York Times

Other details in this novel also ring false or feel unworthy of a writer with as prodigal an imagination as Mr. Pynchon's.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "feel unworthy", consider the specific reason behind the feeling. Adding context can make your writing more impactful and relatable.

Common error

Avoid using "feel unworthy" as a blanket statement without exploring the underlying causes. This can make your writing seem superficial and lack emotional depth.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feel unworthy" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, where "feel" is a linking verb connecting the subject to the adjective "unworthy." It expresses a subjective emotional state. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "feel unworthy" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey a sense of inadequacy or lack of self-worth. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for expressing personal emotions and reflections across various contexts. While its usage is prevalent in News & Media, academic and Wiki sources, writers should aim to add context to highlight specific reasons behind feeling unworthy. Alternatives like "feel inadequate" or "feel undeserving" can offer nuanced expressions of this sentiment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feel undeserving

Replaces "unworthy" with "undeserving", focusing on a lack of merit rather than inherent worth.

feel inadequate

Substitutes "unworthy" with "inadequate", highlighting a sense of not being good enough.

feel inferior

Emphasizes a sense of being lower in status or quality compared to others.

feel like a failure

Expresses a stronger sense of personal failing compared to simply feeling unworthy.

feel unimportant

Focuses on the feeling of not being valued or noticed.

feel insignificant

Highlights the feeling of not mattering or having little importance.

lack self-esteem

Focuses on the overall concept of self-esteem rather than a specific feeling.

feel small

Uses a metaphor to convey a sense of insignificance and unworthiness.

feel ashamed

Connects the feeling of unworthiness to a sense of guilt or wrongdoing.

feel humbled

While sometimes positive, can also imply feeling unworthy in the face of greatness.

FAQs

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

You can use "feel unworthy" to express a sense of inadequacy or lack of self-worth. For example: "After failing the exam, I began to "feel unworthy" of my parents' expectations."

What can I say instead of "feel unworthy"?

You can use alternatives like "feel inadequate", "feel undeserving", or "feel like a failure" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "feeling unworthy" instead of "feel unworthy"?

Yes, "feeling unworthy" is also correct. "Feel unworthy" is the base verb form, while "feeling unworthy" is the gerund or present participle form, often used as a noun or part of a continuous tense.

What's the difference between "feel unworthy" and "feel ashamed"?

"Feel unworthy" generally refers to a lack of self-worth or merit, while "feel ashamed" implies a sense of guilt or embarrassment about something specific you've done.