keenly felt

USAGE SUMMARY

Keenly felt is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a feeling or emotion that is intense. For example, "The loss of his mother was keenly felt in his heart."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His loss is keenly felt.

The Guardian - Books

Every loss is keenly felt, Lucy says.

Independent

Ward's absence isn't keenly felt tonight, however.

The Guardian - Music

In Clichy the disconnection from the capital is keenly felt.

The Economist

The loss of community is still keenly felt.

The Guardian

The absence of the suspended Carlos Tevez was keenly felt.

The Guardian - Sport

As a scientist he keenly felt the hurt.

The Guardian

Bad luck is a sentiment keenly felt in the city.

The Guardian

Nowhere is their presence more keenly felt than in agriculture.

The New York Times

This is keenly felt in the crime and security sectors.

The Guardian

His absence will be keenly felt by us all.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keenly felt" to describe emotions, absences, or impacts that are experienced with significant intensity or sensitivity. This phrase often adds depth and gravity to your writing.

Common error

While versatile, "keenly felt" is best suited for formal or serious contexts. Avoid using it in casual conversation or lighthearted writing, where simpler alternatives like "really felt" or "strongly felt" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keenly felt" functions primarily as an adverb-verb combination modifying a noun. It typically describes how something is experienced, emphasizing the intensity or sharpness of the feeling. Ludwig AI provides several examples, confirming its common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keenly felt" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that serves to emphasize the intensity of an emotion, absence, or impact. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly found in diverse contexts, from news articles to academic papers. While versatile, its slightly formal tone makes it most appropriate for serious or professional writing. Alternatives like "deeply felt" or "strongly sensed" can offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. The phrase's prevalence in reputable sources like The Guardian and The New York Times underscores its acceptability and effectiveness in conveying profound experiences. Therefore, using "keenly felt" is a strong way to add depth to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deeply felt

Emphasizes the depth of the feeling rather than the sharpness or intensity.

strongly sensed

Focuses on the perception or awareness of something rather than an emotional reaction.

acutely experienced

Highlights the intensity and directness of the experience.

intensely perceived

Stresses the high degree of perception or understanding.

profoundly touched

Emphasizes the emotional impact and depth of feeling.

noticeably present

Shifts the focus to the clear and undeniable presence of something.

palpably evident

Highlights that something is easily or obviously perceived.

markedly apparent

Emphasizes that something is clearly and distinctly noticeable.

visibly affected

Focuses on the observable impact or influence on someone or something.

keenly observed

Highlights sharp observation skills, shifting the focus from feeling to seeing or noticing.

FAQs

How can I use "keenly felt" in a sentence?

"Keenly felt" is used to describe an emotion, absence, or impact that is experienced strongly or intensely. For example, you might say, "The loss of their leader was "keenly felt" by the team".

What are some alternatives to "keenly felt"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "deeply felt", "strongly sensed", or "acutely experienced" instead of "keenly felt".

Is it more appropriate to say "keenly felt" or "strongly felt"?

Both phrases are correct, but "keenly felt" often implies a sharper, more intense experience than "strongly felt". Choose the phrase that best reflects the nuance you wish to convey.

Can "keenly felt" be used to describe physical sensations as well as emotions?

Yes, "keenly felt" can describe both emotional and physical experiences. For instance, one might say, "The cold was "keenly felt" through his thin jacket".