felt as though

USAGE SUMMARY

"felt as though" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a feeling of being in a certain situation, similar to the phrase "it seemed like". Example sentence: She felt as though the weight of the world was on her shoulders.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It felt as though I were there.

The New York Times - Tech

I also felt as though I were failing my father.

The New Yorker

He felt as though a promise had been broken.

The New York Times

People felt as though a disconcerting economic change was afoot.

The Economist

She felt as though her eyes would leave her skull.

The New Yorker

It felt as though we were in Thailand.

The New York Times - Travel

I felt as though I had come home.

The New York Times - Travel

I felt as though we were a team.

The Washington Post

I felt as though I were dabbling in alchemy.

The New York Times

I felt as though I had climbed Mount Everest.

The New York Times

I felt as though we were a plane going down.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "felt as though", ensure the sentence clearly indicates who is experiencing the feeling and what the feeling is related to. This avoids ambiguity and ensures clarity.

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses inconsistently. If you start a sentence in the past tense with "felt as though", maintain the past tense throughout the clause to avoid confusion. For example, use "I felt as though I was flying" instead of "I felt as though I am flying".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "felt as though" functions as a conjunction phrase introducing a subordinate clause that expresses a subjective feeling or perception. It connects the main clause (experiencer) with the feeling or sensation experienced. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "felt as though" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to express subjective feelings or perceptions, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure tense consistency and clarity regarding the experiencer and the feeling. Alternative phrases, such as "seemed as if" or "had the impression that", can be used to convey slightly different nuances. By following best practices and avoiding common errors, writers can effectively use "felt as though" to create engaging and relatable narratives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seemed as if

Indicates a perception that something was the case, focusing more on appearance than internal feeling.

it seemed to me that

Highlights the speaker's personal perspective and subjective viewpoint.

had a feeling that

A general way to express an intuitive or unconfirmed feeling.

had the sensation that

Emphasizes a physical or sensory experience leading to the feeling.

had the impression that

Highlights a vague or uncertain feeling based on incomplete information.

it was like

A more informal way to express a comparison of feelings or experiences.

it struck me that

Emphasizes the sudden and impactful nature of the feeling or realization.

it appeared that

Focuses on the outward appearance or impression rather than the internal feeling.

sensed that

Implies a feeling based on intuition or subtle cues.

believed as if

Highlights the subjective nature of the belief based on personal feelings.

FAQs

How can I use "felt as though" in a sentence?

Use "felt as though" to describe a subjective feeling or perception. For example, "She "felt as though" she was walking on clouds" indicates she experienced a sensation of lightness and joy.

What phrases are similar to "felt as though"?

Similar phrases include "seemed as if", "it was like", or "had the impression that". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "felt like" the same as "felt as though"?

While similar, "felt like" is more informal. "Felt as though" is often preferred in formal writing to express a more thoughtful or considered feeling. They are mostly interchangeable but be mindful of your audience.

Can "felt as though" be used in present tense?

No, ""felt as though"" is inherently past tense because "felt" is the past tense of "feel". To express a similar sentiment in the present, use "feel as though".