felt to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "felt to be" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are trying to express the idea that someone is thought to have a certain quality or characteristic, or that something is thought to be true. For example: The new law was felt to be unfair by many people.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Writer tells how it felt to be an accused criminal.

The New Yorker

This has been widely felt to be an important gain.

The New Yorker

Often engagement with a phone is felt to be exclusionary.

The Guardian - Music

And it is felt to be at risk.

The New York Times - Arts

Such measures are often felt to be ineffective and perceived as unfair.

IATSS Research

Their richness is felt to be threatened, for example by local burning.

Forest Ecology and Management

These latter issues are felt to be major ones considering the internet-based delivery method.

Journal of Hydrology

Cystadenocarcinomas are very rare tumors that are felt to be biologically indolent.

Journal of the American College of Surgeons

Except for one instance, WSI technology was not felt to be the cause of disagreements.

Human Pathology

It was time, many felt, to be left alone.

The New York Times

I just knew how it felt to be a slave.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "felt to be" to express a general sentiment or perception, particularly when attributing a quality or characteristic to something. For example, "The decision was felt to be unfair by the majority of the team."

Common error

Avoid overusing "felt to be" in highly formal writing, where more direct or precise language might be preferable. Consider alternatives like "considered", "believed", or "deemed" to enhance clarity and conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "felt to be" functions as a passive construction used to express a subjective assessment or general perception. It indicates that something is perceived or experienced in a particular way, often reflecting a shared sentiment or opinion. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

35%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "felt to be" is a versatile construction used to express perceptions and sentiments across various contexts. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used in both formal and informal settings. Its prevalence in scientific and news media sources underscores its widespread applicability. While generally neutral in tone, it's essential to consider the specific context and choose more precise alternatives in highly formal writing to enhance clarity. The provided examples, together with the suggested alternatives, offer a comprehensive understanding of how to effectively incorporate "felt to be" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perceived as being

Replaces "felt" with "perceived", focusing on sensory or intellectual apprehension.

considered to be

Replaces "felt" with "considered", emphasizing a more deliberate and thoughtful judgment.

believed to be

Substitutes "felt" with "believed", highlighting a conviction or acceptance as true.

thought to be

Uses "thought" instead of "felt", suggesting a general opinion or estimation.

deemed to be

Replaces "felt" with "deemed", indicating a formal or official judgment.

understood to be

Emphasizes comprehension and acceptance rather than a subjective feeling.

regarded as being

Focuses on how something is viewed or treated by others.

seen as being

Highlights the visual or conceptual impression something gives.

assumed to be

Suggests a presumption or acceptance without proof.

judged to be

Emphasizes an evaluation or assessment leading to a conclusion.

FAQs

How can I use "felt to be" in a sentence?

Use "felt to be" to indicate a general sentiment or perception about something. For example, "The policy change was "considered to be" beneficial by most employees".

What's a good alternative to "felt to be"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "believed to be", "considered to be", or "thought to be". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "felt to be" formal or informal?

"Felt to be" is generally neutral, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, you might prefer alternatives like "deemed to be" or "regarded as".

What's the difference between "felt to be" and "considered to be"?

"Felt to be" suggests a more emotional or intuitive assessment, while ""considered to be"" implies a more reasoned or deliberate judgment. For example, "The gift was felt to be thoughtful" (emotional), vs "The proposal was considered to be viable" (reasoned).