he felt himself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he felt himself" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to describe a person's self-awareness or emotional state. Example: He felt himself overcome with anger as he listened to the rude comments.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

He felt himself smile.

The New Yorker

He felt himself disintegrating.

The New Yorker

He felt himself swaying a little.

The New Yorker

He felt himself blush, harden.

The New Yorker

He felt himself a prisoner of language.

The New York Times

He felt himself whirling down his own motormouthed drain.

The New Yorker

And he felt himself constantly faltering at all of it.

The New York Times

Gradually, he felt himself getting worse.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

He feels himself surrounded by dangerous skeptics.

The New Yorker

He has space to grow; he feels himself growing.

The New York Times - Books

When he gets home and she picks up the fallen sock, banging her head, he feels himself weakening.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he felt himself" to convey a character's internal experience, such as growing anxiety or a sudden change in physical sensation, to deepen reader empathy.

Common error

Avoid repetitive use of "he felt himself" within close proximity in your writing. Vary your descriptions with more specific sensory details or alternative phrasing to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he felt himself" functions as a reflexive construction where the subject experiences a sensation or emotion directed back at himself. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. This phrase is used to convey internal states and self-awareness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he felt himself" is a grammatically correct and very common reflexive construction used to describe a subjective experience or internal state. Ludwig AI's analysis, coupled with numerous examples from reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, confirms its widespread usage across news, encyclopedias, and academic writing. While versatile, it's important to avoid overuse and consider alternatives to enhance writing clarity and engagement. Proper usage allows writers to effectively convey a character's internal sensations and self-awareness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he noticed his feelings

Simple and direct, emphasizing the act of observing one's emotions without necessarily understanding them deeply.

he recognized his own emotions

Zeroes in on the recognition of specific feelings, implying a conscious acknowledgment of his emotional state.

he became aware of himself

Highlights the cognitive aspect of noticing oneself, suggesting a dawning recognition rather than a purely emotional experience.

he sensed his own being

Emphasizes a more profound, almost spiritual awareness of one's existence, shifting from a simple feeling to a deep realization.

he realized his state of mind

Stresses the realization of his mental state, implying a sudden understanding or awareness.

he perceived his own state

Focuses on the act of perceiving or understanding one's condition, whether physical, emotional, or mental.

he was conscious of his being

Highlights a state of awareness regarding his existence, suggesting a deliberate attentiveness.

he experienced an inner sensation

Shifts the focus to the internal experience, emphasizing the sensory aspect of what he felt.

he understood his condition

Emphasizes a cognitive grasp of his situation, implying a reasoned understanding rather than a mere sensation.

he found himself

Implies a sense of self-discovery or realization, often in a surprising or unexpected way.

FAQs

How can I use "he felt himself" in a sentence?

Use "he felt himself" to describe a character's internal experience, such as "He felt himself growing angrier with each passing minute", illustrating an emotional or physical change.

What are some alternatives to "he felt himself"?

Consider alternatives like "he became aware of", "he sensed", or "he perceived" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. For example, "he became aware of" suggests a realization, while "he sensed" implies intuition.

Is "he felt himself" too formal for casual writing?

While "he felt himself" is appropriate in most contexts, for more informal writing, you might opt for simpler phrasing like "he felt" or "he could feel" for a more conversational tone.

What's the difference between "he felt himself" and "he felt"?

"He felt himself" often emphasizes a reflexive awareness or internal change, whereas "he felt" can describe a general sensation or emotion. For example, "He felt himself blushing" highlights self-awareness, while "He felt sad" describes a simple emotional state.