what I felt

USAGE SUMMARY

"what I felt" is a grammatically correct phrase and is commonly used in written English.
For example, you might write: "I remember the moment vividly, and the overwhelming range of emotions I felt - what I felt was powerful beyond words."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

That's what I felt.

The New York Times

That is what I felt.

The Guardian - Arts

That's what I felt at Columbia, anyhow.

The New Yorker

But what I felt was more general.

The New Yorker

I know what I felt.

The Guardian - Sport

That's what I felt there.

The New York Times

What I felt was, I had a choice.

The New Yorker

What I felt was relief that bordered on joy.

The New York Times

I stated what I felt and left it at that.

The New York Times - Sports

What I felt for birds went beyond love.

The New Yorker

But what I felt most of all was sadness.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what I felt" to clearly and directly express your personal emotions or reactions in a narrative or descriptive context. It's particularly effective when emphasizing the subjective nature of your experience.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "what I felt" in formal or academic writing where a more objective or analytical tone is expected. Consider using more descriptive language or focusing on factual observations rather than personal feelings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what I felt" functions as a noun clause, often serving as the subject or complement of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms this usage. For example, "What I felt was pure happiness" demonstrates the phrase acting as the subject complement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what I felt" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to express personal emotions and sensations. Ludwig AI validates its widespread use, particularly in news and media contexts. While suitable for general communication, it may be less appropriate in highly formal or academic settings where objectivity is prioritized. Consider alternative phrasing for those contexts. In essence, this phrase serves as a direct and personal way to convey subjective experiences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

my feelings about it

A more general way to refer to one's emotions regarding a topic.

what I experienced

Replaces 'felt' with 'experienced', focusing on the overall encounter rather than just emotions.

what I perceived

Emphasizes individual interpretation and understanding of a situation.

my emotional response

More formal; highlights the emotional reaction to an event or situation.

my impression was

Shifts the focus to the overall impression rather than specific emotions.

the sensation I had

Focuses on a physical or sensory experience instead of solely emotional.

my inner state

Refers to an internal condition or emotional well-being.

my take on it

Expresses a personal opinion or interpretation of a situation.

the way I reacted emotionally

Highlights emotional response and behavior.

how it struck me

Focuses on the initial impact or impression something had on someone.

FAQs

How can I use "what I felt" in a sentence?

You can use "what I felt" to express your emotions or reactions, for example: "After the performance, "what I felt" was a sense of profound joy."

What are some alternatives to "what I felt"?

Alternatives include "what I experienced", "what I perceived", or "my emotional response", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "what I felt" too informal for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "what I felt" may be too informal for some academic contexts. Consider using more objective language or focusing on analysis rather than personal feelings. You might rephrase it as "my interpretation" or "my assessment".

How does "what I felt" differ from "what I thought"?

"What I felt" refers to emotions and sensations, while "what I thought" refers to cognitive processes and opinions. For example, "What I felt was sadness," versus "what I thought was that the situation could have been handled differently."