it was felt

USAGE SUMMARY

"it was felt" is an acceptable part of a sentence in written English.
You could use it to express a sentiment that was shared by multiple people. For example: "It was felt that a new approach was needed to tackle the problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was felt 300 miles away.

The New York Times

It was felt in Manhattan and Queens.

The New York Times

"It was felt new leadership was needed," Ms. McGee said.

The New York Times

"It was felt that the Rubicon was passed".

The New York Times - Arts

(They were spoiled, it was felt, by London's easy ways).

The New York Times - Books

It was felt that statistic would be revisited.

Independent

It was felt in Grasmere, Kendal, Cockermouth and Keswick.

The Times

It was felt over the Chinese border in Yanji.

The Guardian

And goodbye presumably, it was felt beforehand, to the Barbarians.

The Guardian - Sport

It was felt from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City.

The New York Times

Again, it was felt that something should be done.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was felt" when you want to express a general sentiment or prevailing opinion, especially when the source of that sentiment is not explicitly identified. Ensure the context clearly indicates who held the feeling or belief.

Common error

While acceptable, avoid overusing "it was felt" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more direct and specific language to strengthen your claims and improve clarity. Consider alternatives like "researchers believed" or "the evidence suggested."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was felt" functions as an introductory phrase to express a general sentiment, belief, or opinion. It typically introduces a clause that elaborates on what was felt. Examples from Ludwig showcase its usage across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

33%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was felt" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a generally held sentiment or opinion. Ludwig AI affirms that the expression is an accepted phrase, commonly employed across diverse domains, most frequently in scientific and news contexts. When writing, consider whether a more direct and specific statement would be more effective, especially in formal settings. Remember, choosing the right alternative depends on the nuance you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was believed

Focuses on a held belief rather than a general sentiment.

it was thought

Emphasizes the act of thinking or considering something.

the perception was

Highlights a specific perception or understanding.

the consensus was

Indicates a general agreement or shared opinion.

the sentiment was

Focuses on the emotional aspect of the feeling.

it seemed that

Suggests an appearance or impression.

it appeared that

Similar to "it seemed that", but slightly more formal.

people considered

Focuses on the people doing the considering.

there was a feeling

More direct and less formal way of expressing the sentiment.

the impression was

Emphasizes the overall impression left on someone.

FAQs

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

"It was felt" is used to express a general sentiment or opinion without explicitly stating who held that opinion. For example, "it was felt that more evidence was needed".

What are some alternatives to "it was felt"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it was believed", "it was thought", or "the general opinion was". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use passive or active voice instead of "it was felt"?

In some cases, using an active voice can make your writing more direct and engaging. Instead of "it was felt that the project was successful", you could say "the team believed the project was successful." The active voice can be clearer when you know who held the opinion.

What's the difference between "it was felt" and "it was sensed"?

"It was felt" typically refers to an opinion or belief, while "it was sensed" usually describes an intuitive feeling or perception. For example, "it was felt that a change was necessary" suggests an opinion, while "it was sensed that something was wrong" implies a more intuitive understanding.