feels awful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feels awful" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a negative emotional or physical sensation someone is experiencing. Example: "After hearing the bad news, she feels awful about the situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

I doubt Dad intended this, but I find that when something feels awful -- or just off -- giving the feeling a name is helpful.

Huffington Post

The weather feels awful.

The New York Times

The economy feels awful.

The New York Times

Being awake feels awful.

The New Yorker

"She feels awful.

The New York Times

That feels awful".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

But I feel awful.

The New York Times

Afterward I felt awful.

The New Yorker

I felt awful.

Independent

I feel awful about it.

The New Yorker

He felt awful.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's emotional state after a specific event, use "feels awful" to effectively convey their negative feelings. For example, "After losing the game, the team feels awful."

Common error

While appropriate in many contexts, avoid overusing "feels awful" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and nuanced language to describe the specific nature of the discomfort or distress.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feels awful" primarily functions as a subjective descriptor, conveying a negative emotional or physical state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a common way to express discomfort or distress. Examples show it describing feelings of guilt, physical illness, or general unhappiness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Sports

3%

Books

1%

Tech

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "feels awful" is a common and grammatically sound way to express negative physical or emotional sensations. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts, though it's more suited to neutral or informal settings. While versatile, be mindful of the register and opt for more precise language in formal writing. Consider alternatives like "feels terrible" or "is distressed" to add nuance. As demonstrated by the examples from Ludwig, "feels awful" is frequently used in news, lifestyle, and personal narratives to convey a sense of discomfort or distress.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feels terrible

Synonymous expression indicating a strong sense of physical or emotional distress.

feels horrible

Similar to "feels terrible", denoting a severe negative sensation or experience.

feels dreadful

Indicates a sensation of extreme unpleasantness, either physical or emotional.

feels rotten

Informal expression for feeling unwell or emotionally distressed.

feels sick

Describes a sensation of physical illness or strong aversion.

feels bad

A general expression for feeling unhappy, unwell, or guilty.

is in agony

Implies a state of intense physical or emotional suffering.

is suffering

Describes the experience of enduring pain or distress.

is miserable

Expresses a state of deep unhappiness or discomfort.

is distressed

Indicates a state of emotional strain or suffering.

FAQs

How can I use "feels awful" in a sentence?

You can use "feels awful" to describe a negative emotional or physical sensation. For example, "She "feels awful" about the mistake she made" or "My body "feels awful" after the workout".

What's a more formal way to say "feels awful"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "feels terrible", "experiences significant discomfort", or "is deeply distressed" depending on the specific context.

What can I say instead of "feels awful" when describing physical pain?

If you're referring to physical pain, alternatives like "is in agony", "is suffering", or "feels excruciating" might be more appropriate.

Is it correct to say "feels awfully" instead of "feels awful"?

While "awfully" can function as an adverb, it's less common and may sound awkward in this context. "Feels awful" is generally the preferred and more natural phrasing.