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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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felt really shitty

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "felt really shitty" is correct and usable in written English, though it is informal and somewhat vulgar.
You can use it to express a strong negative feeling or emotional state, often in casual or personal contexts. Example: "After hearing the bad news, I felt really shitty for the rest of the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Sometimes they've felt really shitty.

News & Media

Vice

I felt really shitty before and anxious all the time.

News & Media

Vice

"It hasn't even been that long since it happened but I can tell you that I've felt really shitty about myself since," she wrote, before explaining why she didn't just get a bigger swimsuit.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

This (social) media-generated and perpetuated belief causes us to feel really shitty about ourselves and waste money and energy on dieting (sorry, "detoxing, cleansing, and reseting").

News & Media

Huffington Post

(To his credit, Rourke later trashed the movie, calling it "mindless").. Halfway through Iron Man 2, I take a break because I need to stretch my legs and also because I'm starting to feel really shitty.

News & Media

Vice

When you have to murder Vlad, the East-European crook with a dickhead complex who makes you run about doing his bidding and then screws you over, the gun feels heavy in your avatar's hand and it actually feels really, really shitty to be about to kill someone.

News & Media

Vice

That felt really, really bad.

I felt really uncomfortable.

News & Media

Independent

I felt really torn.

"It felt really empty.

News & Media

The New York Times

"It felt really easy.

News & Media

BBC
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If you want to soften the phrase without losing impact, consider the alternatives "felt really awful" or "felt really terrible".

Common error

Avoid using "felt really shitty" in formal writing or professional communications. Its informality can undermine your credibility and is generally inappropriate for such contexts.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

83%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "felt really shitty" functions as a descriptive expression, indicating a subjective experience of intense negativity. As noted by Ludwig, this phrase follows standard grammar but employs informal language. Ludwig shows that the word 'felt' connects to 'shitty' to illustrate an emotion or state.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "felt really shitty" is an informal phrase used to express a strong negative feeling or experience. While grammatically correct, as noted by Ludwig AI, its vulgarity makes it unsuitable for formal settings. It is most commonly found in news and media, and science contexts. When writing, it is essential to consider the audience and context, opting for more appropriate alternatives like "felt really awful" or "felt really terrible" in professional communications.

FAQs

What does "felt really shitty" mean?

The phrase "felt really shitty" means experiencing a strong feeling of being unwell, unhappy, or dissatisfied. It's an informal way to express a negative emotional or physical state.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "felt really shitty"?

It is appropriate to use "felt really shitty" in casual conversations with friends or in personal writing where informal language is acceptable. Avoid using it in professional, academic, or formal settings.

What are some less vulgar alternatives to "felt really shitty"?

You can use alternatives like "felt really bad", "felt really awful", or "felt really terrible" depending on the specific context and the degree of formality required.

How does the intensity of "felt really shitty" compare to "felt a bit down"?

"Felt really shitty" expresses a much stronger negative feeling compared to "felt a bit down". The former suggests a significant level of distress, while the latter indicates a milder and more transient state of unhappiness.

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Source & Trust

83%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: