feeling as if

USAGE SUMMARY

"feeling as if" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is generally used to express the sensation of believing something to be the case even if it isn't actually true. Example: She was feeling as if everyone was judging her, even though no one was actually looking her way.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I would also feel like crying; feeling as if I am going through deep pain; feeling like wailing" (Case 11).

BMC Women's Health

Tony Jacklin remembers the feeling as if it were yesterday.

Independent

It's a very strange feeling, as if life has stopped.

The Washington Post

The resulting bill left those involved feeling as if they gained more than they gave up.

The Washington Post

In the mornings, I would wake up feeling as if I had the flu.

The New Yorker

Day 4 I wake up feeling as if I've been hit by a truck.

The New York Times

"I kind of had the same feeling as if a relative had died," Chief Jonas said.

The New York Times

Once inside, they could be forgiven for feeling as if they've fallen down the rabbit hole.

The New York Times

And yet, I can't help feeling as if he was always set up to fail.

The New Yorker

22 I woke up feeling as if I had run a marathon.

The New York Times

"I can remember feeling as if time was just frozen," Thomson once said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feeling as if" to express subjective experiences or sensations that may not be objectively true. It's excellent for conveying internal states or perceptions.

Common error

In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "it appeared that" or "the evidence suggested" to maintain a more objective tone and avoid sounding overly subjective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feeling as if" functions as a conjunction phrase, introducing a clause that describes a subjective sensation or perception. It connects an emotion or feeling with a hypothetical situation, indicating that the feeling is akin to experiencing that situation. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

31%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

2%

Reference

0.01%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "feeling as if" is a grammatically sound and very common conjunction phrase used to express subjective experiences and sensations. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability in written English. It connects a feeling with a hypothetical situation, conveying a sense of internal perception rather than objective reality.

While versatile, it's important to be mindful of the context. As Ludwig AI suggests, alternatives like "as though" or "it seemed that" might be more appropriate in formal writing. The frequency analysis shows it's primarily used in news media and scientific contexts, but its presence in wiki sources indicates broader accessibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as though

This alternative is a synonym and interchangeable, offering a slightly more formal tone.

as if

This alternative omits the word 'feeling' focusing only on the conditional aspect.

like

This alternative is a more informal way of expressing a similar sensation or comparison.

with the sensation that

This alternative is more descriptive and emphasizes the physical or emotional sensation.

having the impression that

This alternative emphasizes the subjective nature of the belief or sensation.

as though experiencing

This alternative emphasizes the subjective experience of the feeling.

giving the sense that

This alternative focuses on the impression something creates.

it seemed like

This alternative focuses on the appearance or perception of something.

to all appearances

This alternative emphasizes the outward appearance of something.

one might think

This alternative expresses a possibility or potential impression.

FAQs

How can I use "feeling as if" in a sentence?

You can use "feeling as if" to describe a subjective experience or sensation. For example, "She was feeling as if she had won the lottery" describes a strong sense of joy, even if she didn't actually win.

What's the difference between "feeling as if" and "as if"?

"Feeling as if" explicitly includes the emotional or sensory aspect of the experience, while "as if" focuses more on the conditional or hypothetical nature of the situation. "Feeling as if" emphasizes the internal state.

What can I say instead of "feeling as if"?

You can use alternatives like "as though", "like", or "having the impression that" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "feeling as if" appropriate for formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "feeling as if" can sometimes sound informal. In highly formal contexts, consider alternatives such as "it seemed that" or "one had the impression that" to maintain a more objective and detached tone.