the very feeling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'the very feeling' is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to an emotion, feeling, or essence that is intense and real. For example: "I could feel the very feeling of joy radiating within me as I accomplished my goal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Fans praise her ability to express, in brutally honed sentences, not just the nature of small human hardships and dilemmas, but the very feeling of living within them.

The Guardian - Books

— that because of the very feeling that everything was being threatened, that they had gathered together all that was to be gathered, the few fine clothes, the last good hours!

The New Yorker

But the adytum of Kierkegaard's understanding of anxiety is located in his work "The Concept of Anxiety" -- a book at once so profound and byzantine that it seems to aim at evoking the very feeling it dissects.

The New York Times

MacLaine gets at the mystery of the movies — the very feeling that there's something metaphysical about images that compels, or, for that matter, condemns a performer to remain him- or herself regardless of the role.

The New Yorker

In his memoir "The Mystery Guest," Grégoire Bouillier wrote of wearing the turtleneck, a mark of "pseudo sportsmen with, as they say, the lamest kind of collar," as a kind of "Band Aid" against the despair of his lover leaving him suddenly and without explanation, "so that now I hardly remembered the wind on my neck, which is the very feeling of freedom itself".

The New York Times

In this perspective, Ribeiro and Laranjeira (2012) highlight that the very feeling of love and companionship, combined with the fear of not being accepted, influences the difficulty of denying crack when someone close offers it.

Psicologia: Reflexão e Crítica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"If we make that choice," he added, "we risk feeding the very feelings of disenchantment that may push some members of that community to violent extremism".

The New York Times

In her view, "the same social forces that constitute a body as culturally legible or illegible also shape the very feelings of embodiment that would seem to be most personal, most individual, and most immune to regulatory injunction" (77).

SEP

After all, the power of trade unions and social democratic parties has weakened at various times and places, yet welfare states have largely endured, arguably because they helped to build the very feelings of national solidarity needed to sustain them.10.10

Comparative Migration Studies

The Swedish study and my conversations with these men paint a picture of couples separated by the very feelings, concerns, and sense of isolation that make them mirrors of each other.

Vice

Trouble is, what makes it attractive to the nouveau riche is that very feeling of belonging to a select group, far from the madding crowd.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the very feeling" to emphasize the intensity and authenticity of an emotion or sensation you are describing. It adds a layer of depth and immediacy to your writing.

Common error

Avoid pairing "the very feeling" with other intensifiers (e.g., "the very real feeling"). This can create redundancy and weaken the impact of your writing. Instead, let "the very feeling" stand alone to convey its intended emphasis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the very feeling" functions as a noun phrase, emphasizing a specific emotional state or sensation. As noted by Ludwig, it is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English. It intensifies the sense of the feeling being described.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the very feeling" is a grammatically correct and intensifies the essence of a described emotion, conveying authenticity and immediacy. Ludwig AI confirms its validity as a usable phrase. While it is less common compared to simpler expressions, its usage spans various contexts like news, science and formal settings. To maximize impact, avoid redundancy and choose it when conveying depth and sincerity is crucial. Alternatives like "the precise sensation" or "the genuine sentiment" can offer similar but nuanced emphasis. Its neutral register makes it versatile across different writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the precise sensation

Emphasizes accuracy and exactness in describing a feeling.

the exact emotion

Highlights the specificity and accuracy of an emotion.

the genuine sentiment

Stresses the authenticity and sincerity of a feeling.

the raw emotion

Focuses on the unfiltered, intense nature of a feeling.

the core sensation

Highlights the fundamental and central nature of a feeling.

the intrinsic emotion

Emphasizes that the emotion is inherent and natural.

the fundamental feeling

Highlights the foundational and basic nature of a feeling.

that specific emotion

Highlights and reinforces that the user should use a particular/specific emotion.

the unadulterated feeling

Stresses the purity and lack of contamination of a feeling.

the palpable emotion

Highlights that the emotion can be felt and that is real.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "the very feeling" in a sentence?

Use "the very feeling" to underscore the genuineness and intensity of an emotion. For instance, "She captured "the very feeling" of freedom in her writing" showcases a deep, authentic sentiment.

What are some alternatives to using "the very feeling" in my writing?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "the precise sensation", "the raw emotion", or "the genuine sentiment" to convey similar meanings while varying your language.

Is it grammatically correct to use "the very feeling", or are there better alternatives?

"The very feeling" is grammatically sound and widely accepted. However, the best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey. Consider alternatives like "the exact emotion" or "the intrinsic emotion" for specific emphasis.

In what contexts is "the very feeling" most appropriate to use?

"The very feeling" is suitable when describing a profound or authentic emotional experience. It is often used in literature, personal narratives, or contexts where conveying a strong sense of emotion is crucial.