felt terribly guilty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "felt terribly guilty" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a strong sense of remorse or regret about something you have done. Example: "After realizing the impact of my actions, I felt terribly guilty for not speaking up sooner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"I hated it, and I felt terribly guilty," she said.

The New York Times - Health

"I felt terribly guilty about that," Dr. Spelke said.

The New York Times - Science

I felt relieved - and then I felt terribly guilty that I felt relieved".

The Guardian

I felt terribly guilty that I had committed an outright deception with this patient — something that is a true no-no.

The New York Times

Mrs. Literski said she felt "terribly guilty" because her mother, who previously had the injections and thought they helped, had planned to get them at a different clinic, until Mrs. Literski talked her into switching.

The New York Times - Health

I felt relieved - and then I felt terribly guilty that I felt relieved". A father outside the school gates cried: "I don't know if my girls are alive or dead.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

I feel terribly guilty.

The New York Times - Style

Didn't she feel terribly guilty?

The Guardian

I always feel terribly guilty - but then, if it's offered, why resist it?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

May Lionel: "I feel terribly guilty when I'm watching television, like I should be actually doing something, like going for a swim or cooking.

The Guardian

In light of this, you might want to consider forgoing that annual repast — or at least feel terribly guilty while tucking into it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "felt terribly guilty", ensure the context clearly explains the reason for the guilt to enhance the reader's understanding and emotional connection.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "felt terribly guilty" in close proximity within your writing. Vary your language by employing synonyms like "felt deeply ashamed" or "felt intensely remorseful" to maintain reader engagement and prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "felt terribly guilty" functions as a descriptor of an emotional state, specifically indicating a strong sense of remorse or culpability. Ludwig AI examples show its use in various contexts to express regret and responsibility.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

12%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "felt terribly guilty" is used to express a strong sense of remorse or culpability. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, primarily appearing in news and media. While the phrase effectively conveys deep regret, it is advisable to use synonyms to avoid repetition. Alternatives include "felt extremely guilty" or "felt deeply ashamed". When employing the phrase, ensure the context clearly explains the cause of guilt to foster better understanding. By varying your language and providing context, you can enhance the impact and clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

felt extremely guilty

Emphasizes the high degree of guilt experienced.

felt intensely guilty

Highlights the strong emotional impact of guilt.

felt deeply guilty

Indicates a profound sense of guilt.

felt very ashamed

Focuses on the feeling of shame associated with the action.

felt incredibly remorseful

Stresses the feeling of regret and repentance.

felt a great deal of guilt

Highlights the significant amount of guilt experienced.

felt awful about it

A more informal way to express a feeling of guilt and regret.

was consumed by guilt

Indicates that guilt is the dominant emotion.

carried a heavy burden of guilt

Emphasizes the long-lasting impact of the guilt.

felt responsible and guilty

Combines the feelings of responsibility and guilt.

FAQs

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

You can use "felt terribly guilty" to express a strong feeling of remorse or regret. For instance, "After realizing the consequences of my actions, I "felt terribly guilty" for not acting sooner".

What are some alternatives to "felt terribly guilty"?

Alternatives include "felt extremely guilty", "felt deeply guilty", or "felt very ashamed". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "felt terribly guilty" or "felt very guilty"?

"Felt terribly guilty" emphasizes a stronger sense of remorse compared to "felt very guilty". The choice depends on the intensity of the feeling you want to express. While both options are grammatically correct, "terribly" intensifies the emotion.

In what situations is it appropriate to use the phrase "felt terribly guilty"?

It's appropriate to use "felt terribly guilty" when you want to express a significant amount of regret or remorse about something you did or did not do. This phrase is suitable when the action has had a considerable negative impact, either on yourself or others.