Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
felt existed
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "felt existed" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express a sense of something that was perceived to be real or present, but the construction is awkward and unclear. Example: "I felt that a connection existed between us, even if it was unspoken."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
News & Media
Encyclopedias
Science
Alternative expressions(2)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
3 human-written examples
In his major work Trilce, Vallejo signaled his complete break with tradition by incorporating neologisms, colloquialisms, typographic innovations, and startling imagery, with which he sought to express the disparity that he felt existed between human aspirations and the limitations imposed on people by biological existence and social organization.
Encyclopedias
But Tour officials can reinstate a rider if there are extenuating circumstances, which many in the sport felt existed in King's case.
News & Media
"Raimondi is such an important writer because his style of writing is capable of overcoming the impasse that many felt existed in Argentine poetry between writing earlier styles of experimental poetry and writing poetry that is able to address everyday question of politics and poverty," says Bollig.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
56 human-written examples
They built a weapon that could counter an ever-present threat that Pakistanis feel exists from India.
News & Media
Beyond the horror of their lives, there are certain forms of discrimination that I personally feel exist around us but are not visible to the naked eye.
News & Media
"We need to make sure that going forward the Legislature is not precluded from obtaining documents from an administration because they wish to cloud them in an executive privilege that we don't feel exists in New York," he added.
News & Media
Even though the beast notionally belonged to a queen, it also, we cannot help but feel, exists for its own sake in a free-floating Otherwhere, wafted in on board some ship, and could therefore be appraised with a kind of guiltless fondness.
News & Media
Following the shoot, we chatted with Gerges, who first went viral in 2015 for his flawless impersonation of Beyoncé (amongst others) about the expectations he feels exist surrounding body type in the LGBTQ community, his experience with eating disorders and the ways toxic masculinity prevents men away from talking about their own insecurities and feelings surrounding body image. .
News & Media
"Jared felt nothing existed but his subconscious," Mr. Gutierrez said.
News & Media
And now, she's back, like nothing ever happened – like the months of pain that those closest to her felt, never existed at all, leaving all of them to face the biggest question of all: How is Skylar alive?
News & Media
In March 2010 the twins, Abdulrahman and Abdullah, told social workers they felt racism existed within the police and that not enough was done in response to their reports of harassment and antisocial behaviour.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Avoid using "felt existed" in formal writing. Opt for clearer alternatives like "believed to exist" or "perceived to exist" to ensure grammatical correctness and clarity.
Common error
The phrase "felt existed" inappropriately combines past tense forms. To correct this, use "felt to exist" or rephrase the sentence to use a more appropriate construction.
Source & Trust
89%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "felt existed" attempts to function as a verb phrase, expressing a past perception of existence. However, due to its grammatical structure, as Ludwig AI points out, it is considered incorrect. Examples typically show rephrased versions to convey the intended meaning more accurately.
Frequent in
News & Media
67%
Encyclopedias
17%
Science
16%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Academia
0%
Wiki
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, while the phrase "felt existed" might seem intuitive, it's grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI analysis indicates this, suggesting the use of alternative phrases such as "perceived to exist" or "believed to exist" for better clarity and correctness. Although some examples exist in News & Media, it's advisable to avoid "felt existed" in formal writing. The infrequent use and grammatical issues make it a less desirable choice compared to its alternatives.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
perceived to exist
Replaces "felt" with "perceived", emphasizing a sensory or cognitive awareness of existence.
believed to exist
Substitutes "felt" with "believed", highlighting a conviction or acceptance of something's existence.
sensed its existence
Emphasizes a more intuitive or emotional awareness, using "sensed" instead of "felt".
thought to exist
Indicates a more intellectual consideration of existence rather than a feeling.
assumed to exist
Suggests an acceptance of existence without concrete proof or strong feeling.
was thought to be real
Shifts focus to the perceived reality of something, rather than just its existence.
seemed to be present
Conveys a sense of something being there, even if not definitively confirmed.
appeared to exist
Highlights the outward appearance of existence, without necessarily implying genuine existence.
was considered to exist
Focuses on the evaluation or judgment of something's existence by a group or individual.
was rumored to exist
Implies existence based on unverified information or hearsay.
FAQs
What's wrong with the phrase "felt existed"?
The phrase "felt existed" is grammatically incorrect because it combines two past tense verbs in a way that doesn't follow standard English grammar. A better alternative would be to say "felt that something existed".
What can I say instead of "felt existed"?
Instead of "felt existed", you can use phrases like "perceived to exist", "believed to exist", or "felt that something existed" depending on the context.
Is "felt to exist" grammatically correct?
Yes, "felt to exist" is grammatically sound, though "felt that something existed" might be clearer. It suggests a feeling or perception about something's existence.
How can I use "felt that something existed" in a sentence?
You could say, "She felt that a connection existed between them, even though they had just met", which is more grammatically correct and clear than using "felt existed".
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
89%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested