what feels like

USAGE SUMMARY

"what feels like" is correct and usable in written English.
For example, it can be used to express a comparison: "This task feels like climbing a mountain!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Or what feels like a long time.

The New Yorker

The moment is held for what feels like ten seconds.

The New Yorker

The ending, however, sails closer to what feels like truth.

The Guardian - Books

This is what feels like a life-threatening drop.

The Guardian

After what feels like about 30 years, Pierce holds.

The Guardian - Sport

I am ploughing through what feels like pea soup.

The Guardian - Travel

What feels like bricks, she knows, are books.

The New Yorker

They are also available in what feels like an infinite number of designs.

Independent

The movie briefly turns into what feels like a documentary tutorial on high-end liquor production.

The New York Times

There is what feels like an explosion of volume on sexism and feminism in the world.

Independent

Then, at the end, the water opens out to what feels like a small, remote lake.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what feels like" to convey subjective experiences or impressions, particularly when describing sensations, emotions, or abstract concepts. This softens claims, acknowledging the personal nature of the perception.

Common error

Avoid presenting "what feels like" as an objective truth. This expression indicates a personal perception, so ensure the context makes it clear that it's a subjective viewpoint, not a definitive statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what feels like" functions as a subjective descriptor, modifying nouns or clauses by adding a sense of personal perception. It indicates how something is experienced by an individual, rather than stating an objective truth. As Ludwig AI explains, this usage is correct and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what feels like" is a versatile phrase used to express subjective perceptions and impressions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely accepted in written English. The phrase functions as a subjective descriptor, adding a layer of personal experience to statements, and it sees prevalent use in news and media sources. When employing this expression, ensure that the context clearly indicates a subjective viewpoint to avoid misinterpretations. Related phrases include "what seems like" and "what appears to be", offering alternative ways to convey similar meanings. The phrase's high frequency and consistent usage across authoritative sources underscore its significance in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what it feels like

Adds a pronoun for clarity or emphasis.

what seems like

Uses "seems" to convey a similar sense of subjective impression.

what one perceives as

Replaces "feels" with a more formal verb "perceives".

it feels as though

Inverts the structure to start with "it feels".

what appears to be

Focuses on the apparent nature rather than the feeling.

as if it were

Changes the structure to a conditional statement.

the impression is

Shifts focus to the impression given.

it gives the feeling of

Adds extra words to express the similar idea.

to all appearances

Expresses the sentiment based on what you see.

by all accounts

Expresses the sentiment based on what you hear or read.

FAQs

How can I use "what feels like" in a sentence?

Use "what feels like" to describe something subjectively, like: "The wait felt like /s/an+eternity to her", indicating a perceived length of time.

What can I say instead of "what feels like"?

Alternatives include "what seems like", "what appears to be", or "it feels as though depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "what feels like an eternity" an exaggeration?

Yes, saying "what feels like /s/an+eternity is a hyperbole, used for emphasis to express that something seemed to last an extremely long time.

How does "what feels like" differ from "what is"?

"What feels like" describes a subjective perception, whereas "what is" denotes an objective reality. The former acknowledges personal experience, while the latter asserts a verifiable fact.