how that feels

USAGE SUMMARY

"how that feels" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe how someone is feeling in response to something. For example, "She was so embarrassed when she realized everyone had heard her comment; I could see it in her face and could only imagine how that feels."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At least one person who was there knows exactly how that feels.

The New Yorker

"How does it feel, to be on your own… Like a complete unknown… ?" Llewyn Davis knows exactly how that feels.

The Guardian - Film

Moms know exactly how that feels.

TechCrunch

If you are Carly Rae Jepsen, you know exactly how that feels.

Huffington Post

Feeling inadequate may indicate that your friend is feeling inferior and is threatened by you, and is trying to pass a sense of how that feels to you.

WikiHow

"So I know how that feels.

The New York Times - Sports

He knows how that feels.

The New York Times - Sports

I know how that feels.

The Guardian - Opinion

Do you know how that feels? . . .

The New Yorker

The current team know how that feels.

The Guardian - Sport

Every gardener knows how that feels.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "how that feels" to express empathy or understanding towards someone's experience. It's effective when acknowledging an emotion without necessarily having gone through the exact same situation.

Common error

Avoid using "how that feels" in situations where there is no clear emotional connection or shared experience. Overusing it can make your writing seem insincere or melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how that feels" functions as a relative clause, often acting as a noun clause that serves as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes the subjective experience or emotion associated with a particular situation, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

10%

Science

26%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how that feels" functions as a relative clause used to express empathy and understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across different contexts. While predominantly found in News & Media, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various situations. When using this phrase, consider whether the context involves a shared experience or an attempt to understand someone else's emotions. Alternatives like "what it feels like" can offer subtle variations in meaning. Avoiding overuse and irrelevant contexts will ensure its impact remains genuine and appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what that's like

Focuses on the experience rather than the feeling, suggesting a curiosity about the nature of the sensation.

what it feels like

Emphasizes the sensory aspect of the experience, asking about the physical or emotional sensation.

how it must feel

Speculates on the emotional state of someone, implying an attempt to imagine their experience.

the feeling of that

Focuses on describing the specific emotion associated with the situation.

the sensation of that

Highlights the physical or sensory experience related to the situation.

to understand that feeling

Emphasizes comprehension of the emotion, suggesting an effort to grasp the internal state.

to empathize with that

Focuses on sharing and understanding the feelings of another person.

what it is to feel that way

Explores the general experience of having the emotion in question.

what having that experience entails

Shifts focus from emotion to analyzing the broader scope or range of the entire experience.

to put yourself in those shoes

Emphasizes imagining oneself in the same circumstances to better understand the emotional state.

FAQs

How can I use "how that feels" in a sentence?

You can use "how that feels" to express empathy or understanding. For example, "After hearing about her struggles, I began to understand "how that feels"".

What phrases are similar to "how that feels"?

Alternatives include "what it feels like", "what that's like", or "how it must feel", each offering a slightly different nuance.

Is "how that feels" formal or informal?

"How that feels" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts depending on the situation. However, more formal settings may benefit from alternatives such as "the sensation of that" or other similar constructs.

Can "how that feels" be used when you haven't experienced the same thing?

Yes, "how that feels" can be used to express empathy even when you haven't had the exact same experience. It conveys an attempt to understand the other person's emotions or perspective.