sense of feel

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sense of feel" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used when discussing tactile perception or the ability to perceive through touch, but it is better to use more standard expressions. Example: "The artist had a remarkable sense of feel for the textures of the materials she worked with."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Race directors designed their courses by a sense of feel, not by a fastidious recipe.

The New York Times - Sports

"Now, you must have a brake that is very efficacious and that the driver can dose, offering a very good sense of feel".

The New York Times - Sports

The joystick also employs haptic feedback, which conveys a sense of feel to the user — a physical sensation of clicks or bumps — based on what is happening on the screen.

The New York Times

Thus, microdosing requires a steady hand and a good sense of feel, and a lot of practice; you have to sense the tip of the needle piercing the wall of the vein, and draw back the plunger to get a little bit of blood so you know you're in.

The New Yorker

Namath described Montana as "football's Fred Astaire, he's so smooth you don't even notice it". Graham cited Montana's movement for "putting him up an extra notch; Dan Marino and Bernie Kosar can't do that". Landry talked about Montana's escape from tacklers after having been alerted by his "sense of feel" for the chaos around him.

The New York Times - Sports

If the touch screen gave Nintendo DS a sense of feel and the microphone allowed it to hear, the two cameras give Nintendo DSi the sense of sight.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Relevance, however, is nothing compared with that sense of felt life which the truly great novelists communicate.

The Guardian - Books

Conceding that the novel still retained its political relevance, he added: "Relevance, however, is nothing compared with that sense of felt life which the truly great novelists communicate".

The Guardian - Books

Abstract test figures thus became a strong focus in their lives and transformed their perception of their bodies, leading to a pervasive sense of felt risk.

BioSocieties

While a hearty pat on the back always feels good, extra attention and sense of ownership feel even better.

Forbes

How must that false sense of intimacy feel for a celebrated actor?

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In contexts describing intuitive understanding, consider alternatives like "intuitive understanding" or "feel for" to better convey the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "sense of feel" to describe emotional or abstract understanding. This phrase primarily relates to tactile perception. To describe the understanding of abstract concepts, consider using terms like "intuitive understanding" or "grasp of".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sense of feel" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It refers to the ability to perceive attributes of objects through touch. Ludwig's examples shows how it is applied both to physical sensations and more abstract skills acquired through practice.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

6.66%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sense of feel" is a grammatically correct noun phrase describing the ability to perceive qualities through touch. While not as common as alternatives like "sense of touch" or "tactile perception", it's used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. According to Ludwig, its usage appears in both physical descriptions and to describe acquired skills. When writing, be mindful of the context and consider alternatives for greater clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tactile perception

Focuses on the ability to perceive through touch.

sense of touch

Emphasizes the sensory modality of touch.

haptic feedback

Highlights the feedback received through touch, particularly in technological contexts.

kinesthetic awareness

Focuses on the awareness of the body's position and movement.

intuitive understanding

Indicates understanding based on instinct rather than explicit reasoning.

knack for

Emphasizes a natural talent or aptitude for something.

feel for

Emphasizes an understanding or appreciation of something.

sensitivity to

Highlights a heightened awareness or responsiveness to something.

physical sensation

Describes the experience of a feeling on a physical level.

perceptiveness

Highlights the quality of being keenly observant and insightful.

FAQs

What does "sense of feel" mean?

"Sense of feel" refers to the ability to perceive information through touch. It's often used when discussing tactile perception or the feedback received from physical interactions.

What's a better way to say "sense of feel"?

Depending on the context, consider using alternatives like "sense of touch", "tactile perception", or "haptic feedback". Each of these options provides a more specific description of the type of sensory experience you're discussing.

Is "sense of feel" the same as "sense of touch"?

While closely related, "sense of touch" is a more general term for the ability to perceive stimuli through contact with the skin. "Sense of feel" is more commonly used to refer to the specific feedback received during physical interactions, but you may use the term "sense of touch" in alternative.

How can I improve my "sense of feel"?

Improving your "sense of feel" involves engaging in activities that heighten your tactile awareness. This could include practicing a musical instrument, sculpting, or any activity requiring fine motor skills and sensitivity to touch. Consider also focusing on improving "tactile perception".