felt like dying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "felt like dying" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong feeling of distress, despair, or extreme discomfort, often in a figurative sense. Example: "After hearing the bad news, I felt like dying inside."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

And he felt like dying.

The Economist

Meaning she'd felt like dying.

The New Yorker

And perhaps he feels that staying in this family felt like dying, and leaving them felt like living.

The Guardian - Film

I don't want to wax sentimental here and say it felt like dying, but it kind of did feel like dying.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I felt like dying that day because of the injustice," says Husseini, who was originally sentenced to die as soon as she had finished weaning Adama.

The Guardian

Standing in an empty coin laundry in a strange city with mascara running down my face, I caught a glimpse of what it might look like to live a life devoid of that kind of unconditional love — I'm talking about backfin-sharing, bedbug-transcending love — and I was overcome by a dread that felt like dying.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

"I feel like dying also".

The New York Times

He has died, and we feel like dying, too.

The New Yorker

You'd feel like dying; you'd refuse to talk about it; you'd hotly rewrite, feeling broken and betrayed.

The New York Times - Magazine

Jonsin sped up Karma's voice and rearranged her lyrics to create a new chorus: "Only once the drugs are done, then I feel like dying".

The New Yorker

"You're losing everything you know to be real, letting go of your ego and your body, and that process can feel like dying".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "felt like dying" to vividly express a moment of intense emotional or physical distress. Ensure the context clarifies whether it's a literal or figurative sensation.

Common error

Avoid using "felt like dying" for minor inconveniences or discomforts. This dilutes the impact and can sound melodramatic. Reserve it for genuinely significant experiences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "felt like dying" functions as a subjective expression of intense discomfort or distress, often used figuratively to convey a powerful emotional or physical experience. Ludwig AI examples show it used to describe feelings ranging from injustice to exhaustion.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "felt like dying" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey intense emotional or physical distress. Ludwig AI's analysis, supported by numerous examples from reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, confirms its acceptability and provides context for its usage. While versatile, it's important to use it judiciously, avoiding overuse in trivial situations to maintain its impact. Consider alternatives like "felt utterly hopeless" or "felt completely overwhelmed" when a more nuanced or formal tone is required. The phrase serves to emphasize severity and evoke empathy, making it a powerful tool in both informal and news contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

felt like I was going to die

Expresses the fear and anticipation of imminent death.

felt like I couldn't go on

Emphasizes the lack of strength or will to continue.

felt near death

Emphasizes the physical sensation of being close to death.

felt close to death

Similar to 'felt near death', highlighting proximity to death.

felt like giving up

Highlights the feeling of wanting to abandon a task or situation.

felt utterly hopeless

Focuses on the emotional state of despair and lack of hope.

felt at the end of my rope

Idiomatic expression indicating a state of extreme distress and desperation.

felt completely overwhelmed

Highlights the feeling of being unable to cope with a situation.

felt defeated

Focuses on the feeling of being overcome by failure or adversity.

felt lifeless

Emphasizes the lack of energy or vitality.

FAQs

How can I use "felt like dying" in a sentence?

You can use "felt like dying" to express a strong feeling of distress, despair, or extreme discomfort. For example, "After the marathon, I felt like dying."

What can I say instead of "felt like dying"?

You can use alternatives like "felt utterly hopeless", "felt completely overwhelmed", or "felt near death" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "felt like dying" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "felt like dying" is generally more suitable for informal or creative writing. In formal contexts, consider more neutral alternatives like "experienced severe discomfort" or "faced extreme difficulty".

What's the difference between "felt like dying" and "was dying"?

"Felt like dying" implies a subjective experience of intense discomfort or distress, while "was dying" suggests a more objective, life-threatening situation. The former is often figurative, while the latter is literal.