felt weak

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "felt weak" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a state of physical or emotional weakness. Example: After the long run, I felt weak and needed to rest. Alternative expressions include "felt fatigued" and "felt powerless."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Suddenly, my legs felt weak.

The New York Times - Sports

She felt weak and tired.

The New York Times - Magazine

I felt weak and stupid.

The Guardian

Even back then, the interview felt weak.

The Washington Post

"I felt weak at the knees".

The New York Times

He felt weak, could barely move.

The New York Times - Magazine

Superman has felt weak, at certain times.

The Guardian - Music

I felt weak and light-headed.

The New Yorker

I was hardly eating, and I felt weak and tired.

Stanford University

For several days he felt weak, feverish and irritable.

The New York Times - Health

Mr. Chourasia had fractured his arm and felt weak.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with specific body parts, such as "my legs felt weak", to provide clearer imagery in narrative writing.

Common error

Avoid using "felt weakly" when you mean to describe the subject's internal state. In the sentence "I felt weak", the word "feel" acts as a linking verb, which requires an adjective. Use "weakly" only if you are describing the manner in which the action of feeling was performed (e.g., "he felt weakly for the light switch").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "felt weak" consists of the past tense of the linking verb "feel" followed by the predicate adjective "weak". According to Ludwig AI, it functions as a subject complement, attributing a state of diminished strength or energy to the subject. This structure is common in English for describing sensory perceptions and internal states.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

12%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "felt weak" is a versatile and standard English expression used to describe both physical and emotional states of diminished strength. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread presence in high-authority sources, ranging from medical reports describing patient symptoms to sports journalism detailing athlete fatigue and narrative literature exploring character vulnerability. It is grammatically classified as a linking verb phrase and is always followed by the adjective "weak" rather than the adverb "weakly" when describing the subject's condition. Whether used literally in a clinical setting or figuratively to describe a lack of resolve, the phrase remains a staple of clear and effective English communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

felt fatigued

Provides a more clinical or formal tone often used in medical contexts.

felt drained

Communicates a total depletion of energy or emotional reserves.

felt faint

Specifically implies a sensation of being about to lose consciousness.

felt powerless

Shifts the focus from physical strength to a lack of agency or control.

felt debilitated

A much stronger term indicating that the weakness has significantly impaired function.

felt shaky

Emphasizes the physical instability or trembling that often accompanies weakness.

felt frail

Suggests a long-term state of physical fragility rather than a temporary sensation.

felt listless

Focuses on a lack of spirit, interest or enthusiasm alongside low energy.

felt inadequate

Refers to a psychological or skill-based deficiency rather than physical energy.

felt vulnerable

Highlights the emotional exposure or risk associated with feeling unprotected.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "felt weak"?

You can use more descriptive alternatives like "felt fatigued", "felt drained", or "felt powerless" depending on the specific situation.

How do I use "felt weak" in a sentence?

The phrase is used to link a subject to their state of being. For example: "After the surgery, he "felt weak" for several days."

Is it correct to say "I felt weak at the knees"?

Yes, this is a common idiom used to describe a strong emotional reaction, usually related to love, fear or shock, as seen in examples from The New York Times.

What is the difference between "felt weak" and "felt tired"?

While "felt tired" implies a need for sleep or rest, "felt weak" suggests a lack of physical strength or the inability to perform physical tasks.