had a feeling that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had a feeling that" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express a sense of intuition concerning something which might be true, without being certain. For example, "I had a feeling that the game was going to turn out in our favor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

I had a feeling, that's for sure.

TechCrunch

A versIon of thad piece originally appeared on ArborBridge's blog.

Huffington Post

"And I also had a feeling that I should have got out a year ago.

Los Angeles Times

He had a feeling that this might take a while.

The New Yorker

Douglas had a feeling that this would be her fate.

The New York Times - Sports

And I had a feeling that he did downplay it.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

I have a feeling that is just fine with Wilders.

The New Yorker

But I have a feeling that's not what you're asking.

The New York Times - Books

I have a feeling that will come.

TechCrunch

I have a feeling that isn't going to change.

TechCrunch

The console itself is nondescript, and I have a feeling that was done on purpose.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had a feeling that" to express an intuition or a sense about a situation, especially when you lack concrete evidence.

Common error

Avoid using "had a feeling that" too frequently in your writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "suspected that" or "sensed that" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had a feeling that" functions as a clause introducer, setting up a subjective belief or intuition. It often precedes an explanation or outcome, adding a layer of personal perception to the statement. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had a feeling that" is a versatile phrase used to express intuition or anticipation, predominantly in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. To avoid repetition, consider alternatives like "had a hunch that" or "suspected that". Use it judiciously to add depth to your writing while maintaining clarity and engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had a hunch that

Replaces "feeling" with "hunch", indicating a strong intuitive guess.

had a gut feeling that

Emphasizes the instinctive and emotional nature of the feeling.

intuitively felt that

Adds emphasis to the role of intuition in the feeling.

suspected that

Implies a degree of doubt or mistrust alongside the intuitive feeling.

sensed that

Suggests an awareness based on subtle clues or intuition.

had a sneaking suspicion that

Suggests a secret or not openly acknowledged feeling.

anticipated that

Focuses on expecting something to happen, based on prior knowledge or intuition.

believed intuitively that

Highlights the role of belief derived from intuition.

had a premonition that

Indicates a strong feeling about a future event, often negative.

foresee that

Suggests the ability to see or predict a future event.

FAQs

How can I use "had a feeling that" in a sentence?

You can use "had a feeling that" to express an intuition or presentiment about something. For example, "I had a feeling that the meeting would run over time, and it did."

What's the difference between "had a feeling that" and "suspected that"?

"Had a feeling that" generally refers to an intuition, while "suspected that" implies a degree of doubt or mistrust alongside the feeling.

What are some alternatives to "had a feeling that"?

You can use alternatives like "had a hunch that", "sensed that", or "anticipated that" depending on the context.

Is "have a feeling that" or "had a feeling that" more appropriate?

"Have a feeling that" refers to a current intuition, while "had a feeling that" refers to an intuition in the past. Both are correct, but their usage depends on the timeline of the feeling.