felt terrible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "felt terrible" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a strong sense of discomfort, sadness, or regret about a situation or experience. Example: "After hearing the news, I felt terrible for not being there to support my friend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

We both felt terrible.

The New York Times

I felt terrible.

The New York Times

She felt terrible.

The New Yorker

I just felt terrible.

The New York Times

Morales felt terrible.

The New Yorker

"I felt terrible," she said.

The New York Times

"It felt terrible," he said.

The New York Times

Otherwise, she felt terrible..

The New Yorker

Of course I felt terrible.

The New Yorker

And felt terrible about it".

The Guardian - Film

"[But] I felt terrible today.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the intensity of the feeling you wish to convey. While "felt terrible" is versatile, alternatives like "felt awful" or "felt wretched" might be more appropriate depending on the specific emotion.

Common error

While "felt terrible" is widely understood, it might be perceived as too informal in certain professional or academic settings. Opt for more precise and formal alternatives such as "experienced significant distress" or "felt considerable remorse" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "felt terrible" functions primarily as a stative verb phrase, describing a state of being or a subjective experience. It indicates the subject's emotional or physical condition at a particular time. Ludwig AI validates the use of this structure through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "felt terrible" is a versatile and common expression used to convey a strong sense of discomfort, sadness, or regret. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in English. While appropriate for most contexts, it may be too informal for highly professional or academic writing, where more precise language might be preferred. Alternatives such as "felt awful" or "felt dreadful" can offer similar meanings with slight variations in intensity. When using "felt terrible", consider the context and the specific emotion you wish to convey to ensure clarity and appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

felt awful

Slightly less intense than "felt terrible", suggesting a general feeling of unwellness or unhappiness.

felt dreadful

Similar in intensity to "felt terrible", emphasizing a sense of unpleasantness and distress.

felt sick

Focuses more on physical discomfort, though it can also imply emotional distress.

felt miserable

Highlights a prolonged state of unhappiness and discomfort.

felt wretched

Emphasizes a state of extreme unhappiness or misfortune.

felt distressed

Indicates a state of anxiety, sorrow, or pain.

felt regret

Expresses sorrow or disappointment over something that has happened or been done.

felt uneasy

Suggests a state of mild discomfort, anxiety, or restlessness.

felt remorse

Specifically indicates regret or guilt about something done.

felt guilty

Implies a sense of responsibility for a wrong act or feeling.

FAQs

What does "felt terrible" mean?

"Felt terrible" expresses a strong sense of discomfort, sadness, or regret. It can refer to physical, emotional, or moral feelings.

What can I say instead of "felt terrible"?

You can use alternatives like "felt awful", "felt dreadful", or "felt sick" depending on the context.

How can I use "felt terrible" in a sentence?

You can say, "I felt terrible about letting them down" or "She felt terrible when she heard the news".

Is "felt terrible" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "felt terrible" might be too informal for some professional or academic contexts. Consider alternatives like "experienced significant distress" or "felt considerable remorse" for a more formal tone.