get the feeling

USAGE SUMMARY

'get the feeling' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe someone's emotions or reactions to something. For example: "I could get the feeling that she was not happy with the situation".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Books

Lifestyle

Music

TV & Radio

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ever get the feeling you've been played?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Ever get the feeling you've been catalogued?

The Guardian - Arts

They get the feeling this means  something".

The Guardian - Music

Ever get the feeling you're being cheated?

The Guardian - Music

I want to get the feeling right.

The Guardian - Books

I get the feeling United are furious.

The Guardian - Sport

You get the feeling Guthrie would have appreciated Winter, too.

The New York Times - Books

You do get the feeling today that kids are spoilt.

Independent

You get the feeling that he can hardly wait.

The Economist

You get the feeling that nothing at all has changed".

Independent

I get the feeling people think differently of me.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "get the feeling" to convey a sense of intuition or impression that isn't necessarily based on concrete facts. It's a great way to express a subjective understanding of a situation.

Common error

Avoid using "get the feeling" when presenting established facts or objective information. Reserve it for situations where you're expressing a subjective impression or intuition, not stating something known to be true.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get the feeling" functions as an idiomatic expression used to convey a subjective impression or intuition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to describe someone's emotions or reactions to something, often without concrete proof.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sports

18%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Books

8%

Music

6%

Science

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "get the feeling" is a common and acceptable phrase used to express a subjective impression or intuition. As Ludwig AI pointed out, it's appropriate for describing someone's emotional response to a situation. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral contexts and less ideal for formal or scientific writing where precision is paramount. When a more formal tone is required, alternatives like "have a sense" or "it appears that" may be more suitable. The phrase is widely used across reputable sources like The Guardian and The New York Times, confirming its place in everyday language and media. Remember to use "get the feeling" to convey an intuition rather than stating a known fact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have a sense

Uses 'sense' instead of 'feeling', implying a slightly more rational or intuitive understanding.

get the impression

Replaces 'feeling' with 'impression', suggesting a slightly more externally derived perception.

have a hunch

Implies a stronger, more instinctive feeling, often without concrete evidence.

suspect

Suggests a degree of doubt or uncertainty, implying a belief based on limited evidence.

intuit

Implies a direct and immediate understanding, often without conscious reasoning.

have reason to believe

Suggests a belief based on some form of logical deduction or evidence.

gather

Implies an accumulation of information leading to a particular conclusion or feeling.

deduce

Emphasizes a logical and reasoned conclusion based on available information.

infer

Similar to deduce, but may involve a less explicit or direct line of reasoning.

surmise

Suggests a conclusion based on conjecture or limited evidence; implies a degree of uncertainty.

FAQs

How can I use "get the feeling" in a sentence?

You can use "get the feeling" to express an intuition or impression about something, such as "I "get the feeling" that the meeting will be productive" or "She "gets the feeling" that something is wrong".

What's a more formal way to say "get the feeling"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "have a sense", "get the impression", or "have reason to believe depending on the specific context.

Is it always appropriate to use "get the feeling" in professional writing?

While "get the feeling" is generally acceptable, it might be better to opt for a more precise and formal alternative in professional contexts, especially if the impression can be supported with evidence or data. Consider alternatives like "it is my understanding" or "it appears that".

What's the difference between "get the feeling" and "know"?

"Get the feeling" implies an intuition or impression that might not be based on solid evidence, while "know" suggests certainty and is usually based on facts or direct experience. For example, "I "get the feeling" it will rain" expresses an impression, whereas "I know it will rain" implies certainty, perhaps because you saw the weather forecast.