how it felt

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "how it felt" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this expression when describing a feeling or an experience. For example, "I will never forget how it felt when I won the race."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I really liked how it felt".

The New York Times

I don't remember how it felt.

The New York Times - Magazine

That's how it felt, at least.

The New Yorker

But that wasn't how it felt.

The New York Times

She wanted to remember how it felt.

The New Yorker

Was that how it felt?

The Guardian - Music

Well, that's how it felt.

The Guardian - Books

I remember how it felt.

The New Yorker

That's how it felt to me, anyway.

The New Yorker

He asked Lord Mandelson how it felt.

The Guardian

That is how it felt to me.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "how it felt", ensure the context clearly defines what 'it' refers to, avoiding ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "how it felt" in purely objective or factual reporting where subjective feelings are irrelevant. For example, in a scientific report, focus on data rather than personal feelings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how it felt" functions as a noun clause, often serving as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig shows it describes a subjective experience or emotion, adding a personal perspective to the narrative. It allows the speaker to convey their internal state or reaction to an event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how it felt" is a versatile phrase used to convey subjective experiences and emotions. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. Its function is primarily to add a personal perspective, inviting empathy and understanding from the audience. While applicable across various registers, it's essential to ensure its relevance to the context, especially avoiding overuse in objective reporting. The phrase enjoys widespread use in contexts such as News & Media, Science and Formal & Business.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what it was like

Focuses on describing the experience, similar to understanding the feeling.

the sensation it gave

Highlights the physical or emotional sensation produced by an experience.

the emotion it evoked

Emphasizes the specific emotion that was triggered.

the impression it made

Focuses on the lasting impact or perception.

the way it struck me

Indicates a personal and immediate reaction.

my perception of it

Highlights the individual's subjective understanding.

the experience as I saw it

Emphasizes the personal viewpoint of the experience.

the feeling it stirred

Focuses on the internal feeling caused by the event.

what I sensed

Highlights the sensory experience and intuition.

my take on the matter

Expresses a personal opinion or assessment.

FAQs

How can I use "how it felt" in a sentence?

You can use "how it felt" to describe a past experience or emotion. For example, "I'll never forget "how it felt" to cross the finish line".

What are some alternatives to "how it felt"?

Alternatives include "what it was like", "the sensation it gave", or "the emotion it evoked" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "how it felt" formal or informal?

"How it felt" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it leans slightly towards the informal side due to its subjective nature. Always adjust your language to fit your specific audience and purpose.

What's the difference between "how it felt" and "what it was like"?

While similar, "how it felt" emphasizes the emotional and sensory experience, while "what it was like" focuses on a more general description of the experience.