felt awe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "felt awe" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to express a deep sense of wonder or admiration in response to something impressive or beautiful. Example: "As she stood before the majestic mountains, she felt awe at their grandeur." Alternative expressions include "experienced wonder" and "was filled with admiration."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Literature

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

As child, he felt awe.

The Guardian - Books

"People felt awe, probably overwhelmed when they saw them.

Independent

Then she felt awe at the fact that life was sustainable even under the most abhorrent conditions.

The New Yorker

When I first saw this loris — my second sighting on this trip — my heart started pounding and I felt awe, wonder, and joy.

The New York Times

And as I walked around, balancing on paths where one stumble would send you tumbling down to eternity, I felt awe at the Incas' contempt for the impossible.

The Guardian - Travel

I felt awe that first day in Yankee Stadium and I feel awe today, even watching on TV, especially when the camera raises its head to pan the crowd in the distant reaches of the upper deck.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

And once he felt awed and a little frightened.

The New Yorker

I felt awed and cowed inside my body.

The New Yorker

If the young Van Morrison felt awed in such exalted company, he did not show it.

The Guardian - Music

Although she felt awed by the high official, Paulina spoke up to insist that she wanted to end her pregnancy.

The New York Times

A few weeks later we had lunch, and I felt awed by Hoban's equanimity in the face of growing infirmity.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Follow the phrase with the preposition "at" or "for" to clearly identify the source of the emotion, such as "felt awe at the vastness of the ocean".

Common error

Avoid using "felt awe" for mundane experiences. Because awe implies a sense of vastness and mystery, using it for trivial events can come across as hyperbolic or sarcastic. Save it for truly impressive or monumental encounters.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "felt awe" functions as a transitive verb phrase where "felt" is the linking or action verb and "awe" is the direct object noun. In the examples provided by Ludwig, it serves to internalize an external stimulus, transforming a vast observation into a personal experience. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is structurally sound and follows standard English subject-verb-object patterns.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science & Psychology

10%

Personal Narratives

5%

Less common in

Business Reports

2%

Technical Manuals

1%

Legal Documents

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "felt awe" is an elegant and correct English phrase used to describe a deep emotional reaction to something vast or impressive. According to Ludwig AI and the analysis of real-world examples, the phrase is most at home in narrative journalism and literary reflections. It effectively captures the intersection of wonder and respect. While it is less frequent than simpler terms like "was surprised", its use signals a higher level of descriptive sophistication. Writers should use it when they want to convey that an experience has significantly shifted the subject's mental schema or perspective, as often seen in sources like The Guardian and The New York Times.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

experienced wonder

Uses a more clinical or descriptive verb than the simple felt

was filled with awe

Implies the emotion was all-consuming

was awestruck

Shifts to a passive construction that emphasizes being overcome by the emotion

was struck by awe

Suggests the feeling came suddenly and powerfully

felt reverence

Adds a layer of spiritual or deep respect to the feeling

stood in awe

Includes a physical posture to emphasize the stillness caused by the emotion

gazed in wonder

Focuses on the visual act that triggers the internal feeling

felt amazement

Slightly less intense than awe, focusing more on surprise

felt overwhelmed

Broadens the emotion to include being emotionally taxed by scale

felt profound respect

Translates the feeling into a logical or ethical estimation

FAQs

How to use "felt awe" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a deep emotional response, for example: "As she looked at the stars, she "felt awe" at the scale of the universe."

What can I say instead of "felt awe"?

Depending on the intensity you wish to convey, you could use "was awestruck", "experienced wonder" or "stood in awe".

Is it more common to say "felt awe" or "felt awed"?

While both are correct, ""felt awe"" treats awe as a noun you possess, whereas "felt awed" treats it as a state resulting from an external action.

Can I use "felt awe" in professional writing?

Yes, it is common in academic and journalistic contexts, especially when discussing psychology or nature. However, for a more clinical tone, you might prefer "experienced the emotion of awe".