felt really guilty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "felt really guilty" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a sense of remorse or regret about something you have done. Example: "After realizing I had hurt my friend's feelings, I felt really guilty for my words."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

I felt really guilty.

The New Yorker

"I felt really guilty—" "I'm happy for you," I said.

The New Yorker

She was OK, but I felt really guilty that I wasn't around.

The Guardian

We both felt really guilty about it, so we were taking classes".

The New Yorker

"At first, my response was that I felt really guilty and horrible," she says.

The New York Times

"I felt really guilty for co-opting these people I knew so well".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

"You're making me feel really guilty about this trip," the student said.

The New York Times

I should feel really guilty but I'm too busy wiping meat juice off my face.

The Guardian - Travel

They are usually not the healthiest, but I always say that "it's only one". Then I feel really guilty after I eat it.

Columbia University

"Even worse, I was made by superiors to feel really guilty at my lack of appropriate appreciation".

The New York Times

I find in my studies that people feel really guilty about outsourcing even though they're giving up money to have more time that they've earned.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overuse of "felt really guilty"; consider using more nuanced vocabulary to reflect the specific shade of guilt you are experiencing. Vary your sentence structure for better readability.

Common error

Guilt focuses on the action ('I did something bad'), while shame focuses on the self ('I am bad'). Ensure you're using "felt really guilty" when expressing remorse for a specific deed, not as a general statement of self-worth.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "felt really guilty" functions as a subjective expression, describing a personal emotional state. It combines the past tense of the verb 'feel' with the adverb 'really' intensifying the adjective 'guilty'. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "felt really guilty" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey a significant sense of remorse or culpability. Ludwig confirms its validity. It is commonly found in News & Media, but it is used in Science, Formal & Business, Wiki, and Academia sources as well. While alternatives like "experienced profound guilt" exist, "felt really guilty" provides a direct way to express personal regret. It's essential to differentiate between guilt (focused on actions) and shame (focused on self). By understanding its nuances and context, writers can effectively communicate their feelings of remorse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

experienced profound guilt

Uses more formal language to convey a strong sense of guilt.

felt ashamed of my actions

Focuses on the shame resulting from one's behavior.

felt a deep sense of remorse

Emphasizes the regret associated with the feeling.

regretted my behavior immensely

Stresses the intensity of regret.

was consumed by guilt

Highlights the overwhelming nature of the guilt.

was filled with self-reproach

Highlights the self-blaming aspect of the feeling.

carried a heavy burden of guilt

Implies a long-lasting feeling of guilt.

had a pang of conscience

Describes a sudden feeling of guilt.

felt morally culpable

Uses legal terminology to express responsibility for wrongdoing.

felt responsible for the negative outcome

Focuses on the feeling of being accountable for an undesirable result.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "felt really guilty" that express a similar sentiment?

You can use alternatives such as "experienced profound guilt", "felt a deep sense of remorse", or "was consumed by guilt" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to say "felt really guilty"?

Yes, "felt really guilty" is grammatically correct and commonly used. The word "really" serves as an adverb that intensifies the adjective "guilty".

How can I use "felt really guilty" in a sentence?

You can use "felt really guilty" in a sentence like this: "After realizing I had hurt my friend's feelings, I "felt really guilty" for my words."

What's the difference between "felt guilty" and "felt really guilty"?

While both phrases express a sense of guilt, "felt really guilty" indicates a stronger, more intense feeling of remorse compared to simply "felt guilty."