what does it feel

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what does it feel" is not correct in English.
It should be "what does it feel like." You can use it when asking someone to describe their sensory or emotional experience regarding a specific situation or object. Example: "What does it feel like to climb a mountain for the first time?"

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"In order to get that feeling — What does it feel like to be a Napoleon?

The New York Times - Arts

What does it feel like, old bones?

The New Yorker

What does it feel like to be old?

The New Yorker

What does it feel like to be homeless?

Independent

What does it feel like to be here?

The New Yorker

What does it feel like to experience the crater?

The New York Times

What does it feel like, tasting words you've stolen?

The New York Times - Books

KOURLAS -- What does it feel like to dance pregnant?

The New York Times - Arts

What does it feel like to be stabbed?

The New York Times

What does it feel like to be in Iowa?

The Guardian

What does it feel like to be someone else?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always add the word "like" to the end of the phrase to ensure grammatical correctness: "what does it feel like?". This makes the question complete and understandable.

Common error

The most common mistake is omitting the word "like" at the end of the phrase. While the phrase "what does it feel" is frequently used, it's grammatically incomplete. Ensure you include "like" to maintain proper grammar.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what does it feel" is used as an interrogative expression to inquire about someone's sensory or emotional experience. Although common, it is grammatically incomplete without the addition of 'like'. Ludwig AI indicates the corrected form is "what does it feel like."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "what does it feel" is frequently used to inquire about sensations or experiences, it is grammatically incomplete. Ludwig AI advises that the correct phrasing is "what does it feel like". This expression appears most commonly in news and media sources. To avoid grammatical errors, consider using the complete phrase or alternatives such as "how does it feel". Remember to include 'like' for grammatical accuracy in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what does it feel like

Adds the necessary 'like' to make the question grammatically correct and complete.

how does it feel

Replaces "what" with "how" to inquire about the sensation or emotion, providing a more natural phrasing.

can you describe the feeling

Directly asks for a description of the feeling, leaving the method of description open.

how would you characterize the sensation

Focuses on identifying the key traits of the sensation, prompting a detailed characterization.

what sensation does it evoke

Emphasizes the sensory experience, asking what specific feeling is brought about.

what is the experience of it

Focuses on the overall experience, inquiring about all facets of the event or situation.

what are the feelings associated with it

Asks about the range of feelings connected to the subject, rather than a single sensation.

what are its effects on your senses

Highlights the impact on the senses, exploring tactile, auditory, visual, and other sensory experiences.

what is it comparable to

Invites a comparison to other experiences or sensations to better understand the feeling.

what is your impression of it

Shifts the focus to a more subjective impression, inviting a personal interpretation.

FAQs

Why is "what does it feel like" grammatically correct, but "what does it feel" is not?

The addition of "like" creates a prepositional phrase that completes the verb 'feel', specifying what the subject is being compared to. Without "like", the sentence lacks grammatical completeness.

What's a simple alternative to "what does it feel like"?

A simpler alternative is "how does it feel", which directly asks for a description of the sensation or experience.

In what contexts is it most appropriate to use "what does it feel like"?

This phrase is appropriate in various contexts, from describing physical sensations to emotional experiences. It's commonly used in interviews, descriptive writing, and everyday conversation.

Can I use "what does it feel" in informal conversation?

While frequently used, especially in informal settings, using "what does it feel" is grammatically incorrect. It's better to use "what does it feel like" or "how does it feel" for grammatical accuracy.