that feels familiar

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "that feels familiar" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is recognizable or has been experienced before. Example: When I visited my grandparents' old house, I was overwhelmed by a wave of nostalgia that felt familiar.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Our lives are changing constantly and we crave and desire for a time that seems stagnant, a time that feels familiar, a time that gives us a feeling of being in control over our own destinies and lives.

HuffPost

The affective significance that defines familiarity results from previous encounters with the object that feels familiar, and it does not guide how to behave with the object in the next encounter (one's enemy feels familiar, for instance).

SEP

It's an existential pastiche that feels familiar.

The New York Times - Arts

"An old show that feels familiar can turn off Broadway audiences," Mr. Chapin said.

The New York Times

A Cherokee of mixed race, Ross navigated between cultures in a way that feels familiar today.

The New York Times

But for this latest project he wanted a "utilitarian, subterranean space that feels familiar yet alienating".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

He wanted, if he could, to find a spot that felt familiar.

The New York Times - Sports

But this show was tapping into something that felt familiar to me.

The New Yorker

Like the refrain of a rock classic, these are clothes that feel familiar but are covetable for that very reason.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Many of these stories take place in worlds that feel familiar, but the rules are somehow different.

The Guardian - Books

These Catholics look to the church not for exacting rules, but for a locus for their spirituality, with rituals and an iconography that feel familiar and thus comfortable.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that feels familiar" to create a sense of connection with your audience by referencing shared experiences or recognizable concepts.

Common error

Avoid using "that feels familiar" in overly predictable or clichéd situations. Strive for originality in your descriptions to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that feels familiar" functions as a relative clause modifying a noun or pronoun. It describes a quality or characteristic of something, indicating a sense of recognition or prior experience. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable structure.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "that feels familiar" is a grammatically correct and semantically rich expression used to convey a sense of recognition or prior experience. While categorized as 'Rare' in frequency based on the data, Ludwig AI confirms its usability and appropriateness across various writing contexts. Predominantly found in 'News & Media' and 'Science', this phrase serves to connect with audiences by referencing shared knowledge or tapping into relatable sensations. Avoiding overuse and clichés will ensure its effectiveness in engaging readers. Furthermore, there are several alternative phrases such as "that seems recognizable" and "that rings a bell" that may be used to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that seems recognizable

Replaces "feels familiar" with "seems recognizable", emphasizing the appearance of being known.

that rings a bell

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey a sense of vague familiarity.

that evokes recognition

Replaces "feels familiar" with "evokes recognition", highlighting the act of remembering.

that hits home

Uses an idiomatic expression implying that something deeply resonates with one's experience.

that brings back memories

Focuses on the mnemonic aspect of familiarity.

that is reminiscent of

Highlights the act of reminding of something from the past.

that is akin to

Emphasizes the similarity to something already known.

that strikes a chord

Uses an idiomatic expression for something that strongly resonates.

that reminds me of

Directly states the act of being reminded.

that seems like déjà vu

Uses a French term to describe the sensation of having already experienced something.

FAQs

How can I use "that feels familiar" in a sentence?

You can use "that feels familiar" to describe a sensation, place, or idea that evokes a sense of recognition or past experience. For example: The old photograph triggered a memory "that feels familiar".

What can I say instead of "that feels familiar"?

You can use alternatives like "that seems recognizable", "that rings a bell", or "that evokes recognition" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say 'this feels familiar' instead of "that feels familiar"?

Yes, both are grammatically correct. "This feels familiar" refers to something present or immediate, while "that feels familiar" can refer to something more distant or abstract.

What's the difference between "that feels familiar" and "that is familiar"?

"That feels familiar" emphasizes the subjective sensation of recognition, whereas "that is familiar" simply states that something is known or recognizable.