seemed to be feeling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seemed to be feeling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone's emotional or physical state, often indicating a perception or assumption about their feelings. Example: "She seemed to be feeling overwhelmed by the amount of work she had to complete."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

But Percy seemed to be feeling lazy.

The New York Times

He seemed to be feeling better, but not much better.

The New Yorker

He said they seemed to be feeling better.

The New Yorker

He also seemed to be feeling Taiwan out.

The New York Times

Brown served and volleyed effectively at times and seemed to be feeling no pressure.

The New York Times - Sports

She seemed to be feeling stress over her partners, he said.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

McMullen seems to be feeling the strain.

The Guardian

We seem to be feeling awfully "anti" these days.

The New York Times

The Obama administration seems to be feeling sorry for itself.

The New York Times

Not that he seems to be feeling it.

The Guardian - Sport

Many residents, meanwhile, seem to be feeling their way along.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context. "Seemed to be feeling" is versatile but be mindful of whether a more precise verb or phrase would better capture the specific emotion or state being described.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "seemed to be feeling" as it can make your writing sound vague or hesitant. Instead, vary your language by using more descriptive verbs or adverbs to convey the emotion or state more directly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seemed to be feeling" functions as a descriptive expression, used to convey an impression or observation about someone's emotional or physical state. Ludwig AI, provides numerous examples showing its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "seemed to be feeling" is a versatile phrase used to express an impression or observation about someone's emotional or physical state, while acknowledging subjectivity. As shown by Ludwig AI, this construction is grammatically sound and appropriate for a broad range of contexts, from news and media to scientific writing. To make writing sound less vague, be mindful about possible overuse of this expression and try more descriptive verbs or adverbs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appeared to be feeling

Uses a different verb ("appeared" instead of "seemed") to convey a similar sense of observation or inference about someone's emotional state.

looked like they were feeling

Emphasizes the visual aspect of observing someone's feelings, implying that their emotions were evident in their appearance.

gave the impression of feeling

Focuses on the impression created by someone's behavior or demeanor, suggesting that their feelings were not necessarily genuine or fully expressed.

seemed to express

Highlights the outward manifestation of feelings, emphasizing the act of expressing emotions rather than the internal experience of them.

appeared to express

A combination of the first 2 options, using both 'appeared' and 'express' to indicate a visually-observed sentiment or emotion.

seemed to show signs of feeling

More explicit in noting evidence of emotion, rather than directly stating the feeling itself. Implies subtle hints.

conveyed a sense of feeling

Highlights the communication of feeling, whether intentional or unintentional. Centers on transmission.

exhibited behavior indicative of feeling

More formal and clinical, focusing on observable behavior linked to a particular emotional state. Suitable for analytical contexts.

had the air of feeling

Suggests an atmosphere or overall impression related to someone's emotional condition, potentially less direct.

presented as feeling

Implies a deliberate or constructed presentation of feeling, possibly masking true emotions. More detached perspective.

FAQs

What does "seemed to be feeling" imply about the speaker's certainty?

Using "seemed to be feeling" indicates that the speaker is making an observation or inference about someone's emotional or physical state, but they are not completely certain about it. It suggests a level of uncertainty or subjectivity.

What are some alternatives to "seemed to be feeling" that express greater certainty?

If you want to express greater certainty, you could use phrases like "was feeling", "clearly felt", or "unquestionably experienced". However, be sure that your assertion is supportable by the available evidence.

How can I use "seemed to be feeling" effectively in my writing?

Incorporate "seemed to be feeling" when you want to convey an impression or observation about someone's state, while also acknowledging that it's your interpretation. For example, "After receiving the news, she "seemed to be feeling" a sense of relief, although she didn't say anything."

Is it always appropriate to use "seemed to be feeling" when describing someone's emotions?

While "seemed to be feeling" is generally acceptable, be mindful of the context and your relationship with the person you're describing. In some situations, it may be more appropriate to ask them directly how they're feeling, rather than making assumptions based on your observations.