feels hopeless

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feels hopeless" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a sense of despair or lack of optimism about a situation or outcome. Example: "After months of trying to find a job, she feels hopeless about her prospects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

It feels hopeless.

The New York Times

"He feels hopeless," said Dr. Chen, who is not related to the former president.

The New York Times

A plight that feels hopeless and inescapable, just see today's listless performance against the Saints.

The Guardian - Sport

"I feel like when Public Enemy were doing 'Fight the Power', we as a culture had more power – now it feels hopeless," Minaj said.

The Guardian - Music

Bullying is a topic that strikes fear and despair into my parently soul, and I'm often reluctant to read about it (let alone write about it) because so much that's out there feels hopeless, and I feel helpless.

The New York Times

"When I got the opportunity to come to Dubai years ago, precrisis, I thought it's best to stay here because even though I miss my hometown in Spain, the situation feels hopeless, futureless, for so many people there right now".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Feeling hopeless, feeling worthless, and difficulty enjoying activities were the 3 symptoms that most differentiated depressed from nondepressed patients.

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Students checked boxes if they had difficulty sleeping, felt hopeless or "had feelings of worthlessness".

The New York Times - Health

"Now people feel hopeless.

The New York Times

"I felt hopeless.

The New York Times

"It felt hopeless".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be mindful of the audience and context. In formal writing, consider alternatives like "appears futile" or "inspires despair" for a more professional tone.

Common error

Avoid using "feels hopeless" in overly formal or professional writing. Opt for more sophisticated synonyms that maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feels hopeless" primarily functions as a subjective description, expressing a personal emotion or perception regarding a particular situation. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is correct and usable. It is commonly used to convey a sense of despair or lack of optimism.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

13%

Science

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "feels hopeless" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to convey a sense of despair or lack of optimism. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts. While versatile, it's essential to consider the tone and audience when using it, opting for more formal alternatives in professional settings. Its primary function is to express a subjective emotional state. Be careful to not overuse it in contexts that require a more refined vocabulary to convey negativity. Overall, understanding its nuances allows for more effective communication of complex emotions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inspires despair

Highlights the feeling of hopelessness that the situation creates.

seems desperate

Shifts the emphasis to a sense of urgency and dire circumstances.

appears futile

Changes the verb and adjective, focusing on the apparent lack of positive outcome.

creates a sense of futility

Shifts focus to the creation of uselessness feeling.

looks bleak

Uses a visual metaphor to describe a negative outlook.

offers no prospect

Emphasizes the absence of a positive future or solution.

evokes a sense of resignation

Indicates an acceptance of a negative outcome.

is discouraging

Focuses on the disheartening nature of the situation.

generates a sentiment of helplessness

Focuses on the generation of inability to react.

induces pessimism

Highlights that the feeling lead to a negative outlook.

FAQs

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

You can use "feels hopeless" to describe a situation or feeling where there is a lack of optimism or a sense of despair. For example, "After several rejections, he "feels hopeless" about finding a job".

What are some alternatives to "feels hopeless"?

Some alternatives include "seems desperate", "looks bleak", or "inspires despair". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "feels hopeless" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "feels hopeless" may be too informal for certain formal contexts. Consider using alternatives such as "appears futile" or "offers no prospect" in such cases.

What's the difference between "feels hopeless" and "feels helpless"?

"Feels hopeless" implies a lack of optimism or expectation of a positive outcome. "Feels helpless", on the other hand, suggests a lack of ability to change a situation. While related, they describe different aspects of a negative experience.