they felt that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they felt that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express someone's emotions or opinions about a particular situation or idea. Example: "They felt that the project was progressing well, despite the challenges they faced."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I had no idea they felt that way," he said.

The New Yorker

"They felt that was a good base contract.

The New York Times

"I didn't understand why they felt that way.

Science Magazine

"I don't know how they felt that was a threat".

Los Angeles Times

They felt that they were making progress.

The New Yorker

So they felt that they had succeeded.

Cornell University

They felt that everything was against them.

The Guardian

"They felt that he was their friend".

The New York Times

They felt that controls were not appropriate".

The Guardian

They perceived anxiety if they felt that the preparation/information they were given was insufficient.

Journal of Radiology Nursing

"They felt that they had made a friend.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting opinions or beliefs, use "they felt that" to convey a sense of subjective understanding or emotional assessment rather than stating a definitive fact. For a stronger emphasis on logical conclusion, consider using "they concluded that".

Common error

In academic or formal contexts, excessive use of "they felt that" can weaken the objectivity of your writing. Instead, vary your language by incorporating alternatives like "they believed that" or "they considered that" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they felt that" functions as a reporting verb phrase. It introduces a subordinate clause that expresses the feelings, opinions, or beliefs of a group of people. Ludwig AI demonstrates its usage across a range of contexts, emphasizing its role in conveying subjective perspectives.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they felt that" is a versatile and commonly used phrase for expressing the subjective feelings or beliefs of a group. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalent use across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. While appropriate for general use, consider the context and register; formal or scientific writing may benefit from more precise alternatives like "they concluded that" to enhance objectivity. Be mindful of overusing the phrase, and leverage options such as "they believed that" or "they understood that" to ensure varied and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they believed that

Replaces "felt" with "believed", suggesting a more cognitive assessment rather than an emotional one.

they thought that

Substitutes "felt" with "thought", indicating a mental consideration or opinion.

they considered that

Uses "considered" instead of "felt", implying a more formal or deliberate evaluation.

they perceived that

Replaces "felt" with "perceived", emphasizing how something was understood through the senses or intuition.

they understood that

Changes "felt" to "understood", suggesting comprehension or awareness of a fact or situation.

they assumed that

Uses "assumed" in place of "felt", indicating a presumption without concrete proof.

they gathered that

Replaces "felt" with "gathered", implying an inference based on available information.

it was their impression that

Expresses the idea as an "impression", indicating a subjective understanding or feeling.

they were of the opinion that

Presents the sentiment as a formal "opinion", highlighting a considered viewpoint.

they came to the conclusion that

Indicates a final decision or understanding was "concluded", often after deliberation.

FAQs

How can I use "they felt that" in a sentence?

Use "they felt that" to report a group's subjective belief or opinion. For example: "After the presentation, "they felt that" their concerns had not been adequately addressed."

What are some alternatives to "they felt that"?

You can use alternatives like "they believed that", "they thought that", or "it was their impression that", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "they felt that" formal or informal?

"They felt that" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal writing, consider using alternatives like "they concluded that" or "they determined that" to maintain a more objective tone.

What's the difference between "they felt that" and "they knew that"?

"They felt that" implies a subjective belief or emotional understanding, while "they knew that" suggests a more objective awareness of a fact. Consider replacing it with something that shows that what was felt was accurate.