feeling for

USAGE SUMMARY

"feeling for" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in written English.
It is used to express empathy or sympathy for someone or something, often in the context of feeling sorry or sad for them. For example, "I'm feeling for the people affected by the disaster."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I'm feeling for Kurtley.

The Guardian - Sport

Something you've really got feeling for".

The New Yorker

He lost all feeling for humanity".

The New Yorker

I'm feeling for a mate.

The Guardian - Sport

That's not a good feeling for me.

The New York Times

He's not feeling for things right now.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's terrible feeling, for sure," Nadal said.

The New York Times - Sports

We're all feeling for Seve's family.

The New York Times - Sports

That's been my feeling for a while.

The New York Times

We have a similar feeling for performers".

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The feeling for him is good.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "feeling for" to express empathy, ensure the context clearly indicates who or what you are feeling for. For example, specify the person or group affected by a difficult situation.

Common error

Avoid using "feeling for" when you actually mean "searching for something by touch". While grammatically correct, it can be misleading. Be specific and say "groping for", "feeling around for", or "searching for" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feeling for" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, often used to express empathy or sympathy towards someone or something. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It can also denote physically searching or exploring.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

7%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "feeling for" is a versatile expression that Ludwig AI confirms is grammatically correct and widely used in written English. Its primary function is to convey empathy or sympathy, but it can also describe physically searching for something. While generally neutral in register, it's important to ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity. As seen in the provided examples, authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ this phrase. When expressing empathy, remember to specify who or what you are "feeling for" to enhance clarity. When describing a physical search, consider alternatives like "groping for" or "searching for" to avoid misinterpretation. The phrase is common and has a good level of authority.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

empathizing with

Directly conveys the action of sharing someone else's feelings.

having sympathy for

Focuses specifically on the empathetic aspect of understanding someone's situation.

showing compassion towards

Emphasizes the act of demonstrating care and concern.

commiserating with

Indicates sharing sorrow or grief with someone.

understanding the plight of

Highlights comprehension of a difficult or unfortunate situation.

having a sense of

Implies an intuitive understanding without concrete evidence.

sensing

Refers to a non-emotional impression or slight idea.

detecting

Highlights the ability to notice or become aware of something.

exploring by touch

Relates to the literal, tactile meaning of 'feeling'.

searching by hand

Refers to physically looking for something with your hands.

FAQs

How can I use "feeling for" in a sentence?

You can use "feeling for" to express sympathy or empathy, as in "I'm feeling for those affected by the disaster", or to describe physically searching for something, as in "He was "feeling around for" the light switch in the dark".

What's a more formal way to say "feeling for"?

In a more formal context, consider using phrases like "expressing sympathy", "showing compassion", or "conveying empathy".

Can "feeling for" refer to a physical action?

Yes, "feeling for" can also refer to physically searching or exploring something by touch, such as "feeling for the bottom" of a river. However, ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity.

What can I say instead of "I'm feeling for"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "I sympathize with", "I empathize with", or "I have compassion for". For a physical search, consider "I'm searching for" or "I'm groping for".