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feel

Feel has several different meanings. Progressive forms can be used with some meanings, but not with others. Feel can be a linking verb (see here), followed by an adjective or noun complement. It can also be an ordinary verb, followed by a direct object.

Linking verb: I feel fine​

Feel can be used to talk about one’s physical or mental sensations. Adjective or (in British English) noun complements are used.

  • I feel fine.
  • Do you feel happy?
  • Andrew was beginning to feel cold.
  • When Louise realised what she had done, she felt a complete idiot. (BrE)

In this sense feel is not normally used with reflexive pronouns (myself, etc).

  • He always felt inferior when he was with her.(More natural than He always felt himself inferior …)

To talk about feelings that are going on at a particular moment, simple or progressive forms can be used. There is little difference of meaning.

  • I feel fine. / I’m feeling fine.
  • How do you feel? / How are you feeling?

Linking verb: That feels nice!​

Feel can also be used to say that something causes sensations. Progressive forms are not used.

  • That feels nice!
  • The glass felt cold against my lips.

Linking verb: feel like; feel as if/though​

Feel can be followed by like or as if/though.

  • My legs feel like cotton wool.
  • Alice felt as if/though she was in a very nice dream. (Alice felt like she was … is also possible, (see here).)

feel like meaning ‘want’​

Feel like can also mean ‘want’, ‘would like’.

  • I feel like a drink. Have you got any beer?

In this sense, feel like is often followed by an -ing form.

  • I felt like laughing, but I didn’t dare.

Compare:

  • I felt like swimming. (= I wanted to swim.)
  • I felt like / as if I was swimming. (= It seemed as if I was swimming.)

Reactions and opinions​

Feel is often used to talk about reactions and opinions. Progressive forms are not usually used in this case.

  • I feel sure you’re right. (not I’m feeling sure …)
  • He says he feels doubtful about the new plan.

That-clauses are common.

  • I feel (that) she’s making a mistake.

A structure with object + to be + complement is possible in a formal style, but it is not very often used.

  • I felt her to be unfriendly. (More normal: I felt that she was unfriendly.)

There is also a structure feel it (+ to be) + adjective/noun.

  • We felt it necessary to call the police.
  • I felt it (to be) my duty to call the police.

‘receive physical sensations’​

Feel can be used with a direct object to talk about the physical sensations that come to us through the sense of touch.

  • I suddenly felt an insect crawling up my leg.

Progressive forms are not used, but we often use can feel to talk about a sensation that is going on at a particular moment.

  • I can feel something biting me!

‘touch’​

Feel can also be used with a direct object to mean ‘touch something to learn about it or experience it’. Progressive forms are possible.

  • Feel the photocopier. It’s very hot.
  • ‘What are you doing?’ ‘I’m feeling the shirts to see if they’re dry.’