it feels awful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it feels awful" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a negative emotional or physical sensation. Example: "After hearing the news, it feels awful to think about what they are going through."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

It feels awful".

The New York Times

But, even so, it feels awful.

The New Yorker

It feels awful — it feels like being in a fog".

The New York Times - Books

It feels awful, awful, awful when you're getting back in shape, but it pays off.

The New York Times

"It feels awful and you don't want to be a part of it and you wish you could keep going".

The New York Times - Sports

Judith: It feels awful heavy / Making my neck ache / So I can talk no more.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

"It felt awful," Meyer said.

The New York Times - Sports

"It felt awful," he said.

The New York Times

Now it felt awful, like detoxing.

The New Yorker

When I put the thong on, it felt awful.

The New York Times

Now, it felt awful, but I never thought he was being mean-spirited about it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it feels awful" to describe a physical sensation, be specific about the sensation (e.g., "It feels awful, like a burning sensation").

Common error

While acceptable, "it feels awful" can sound informal in academic or professional contexts. Opt for more precise and descriptive language to convey the intensity of the negative feeling.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it feels awful" functions as a subjective expression, primarily acting as a descriptor of an emotional or physical state. The verb "feels" links the subject "it" to the adjective "awful", indicating a negative sensory or emotional experience. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples demonstrating its usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

12%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it feels awful" serves as a common and correct way to express a negative sensation, be it physical or emotional. While typically neutral in register, it's more prevalent in News & Media and Wiki sources than in strictly formal settings. Ludwig AI analysis, along with the supporting examples, indicates that the phrase accurately describes an unpleasant experience, though alternatives such as "it feels terrible" or more descriptive options may be preferable in certain formal contexts. Avoid the construction "it feels awfully" as it's less grammatically sound. Overall, "it feels awful" effectively conveys a sense of discomfort or displeasure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's a terrible sensation

Replaces "feels awful" with a more descriptive phrase focusing on the sensation itself.

it's a dreadful feeling

Substitutes "awful" with "dreadful", highlighting the feeling of apprehension or fear associated with the sensation.

it's an unpleasant experience

Shifts the focus from feeling to the overall experience being negative.

it is quite distressing

Emphasizes the emotional impact of the sensation.

it's thoroughly unpleasant

Replaces "awful" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing the degree of unpleasantness.

it leaves me with a bad feeling

Focuses on the lingering emotional aftermath of the experience.

it's extremely disagreeable

Offers a more detached, objective assessment of the feeling.

it gives me the creeps

Uses a more visceral and colloquial expression to describe a feeling of unease or disgust.

it's a really bad vibe

Uses more informal language to convey a negative atmosphere or feeling.

it's intensely negative

Abstracts the feeling to a general state of negativity.

FAQs

How can I use "it feels awful" in a sentence?

You can use "it feels awful" to describe a physical sensation, an emotional state, or a general negative experience. For example, "After the surgery, "it feels awful" to move around" or "It feels awful knowing I let my team down".

What are some alternatives to "it feels awful"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "it feels terrible", "it feels horrible", or "it is a terrible sensation".

Is "it feels awfully" grammatically correct?

While "awful" functions as an adjective modifying "feeling", "awfully" is an adverb. Thus, "it feels awful" is the standard and grammatically correct construction. "it feels awfully" is less common and can sound awkward.

What is the difference between "it feels awful" and "it felt awful"?

"It feels awful" describes a present sensation or feeling, while "it felt awful" describes a sensation or feeling in the past.