Feels vs. Feel — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 30, 2024
"Feels" is the third person singular present form of "feel," used for he/she/it, e.g., "She feels happy." Conversely, "feel" serves as the base form and is used with I/you/we/they, e.g., "I feel cold."
Difference Between Feels and Feel
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Key Differences
"Feels" specifically conjugates for third person singular present tense, indicating current emotions or sensations of one subject, such as in "He feels tired after the workout." Whereas "feel" is more universally applied in various grammatical structures, such as commands ("Feel this fabric!") or general statements ("We feel excited").
In expressions of sensory experience, "feels" is used to describe an ongoing state in an individual subject, like "She feels the texture of the silk." On the other hand, "feel" is applicable in a broader scope, including personal perceptions or commands, as in "They feel the breeze."
When discussing internal states or emotions, "feels" often introduces a specific subject’s experience, such as "It feels like a storm is coming." Conversely, "feel" can be used in a plural sense or in more general statements, such as "You feel the tension in the air."
In idiomatic usage, "feels" might be found in contexts that specify a subject's ongoing condition, such as "She feels under the weather today." In contrast, "feel" is utilized in imperative forms or infinitive structures, like "Feel free to join us."
Regarding grammatical rules, "feels" is constrained by its subject (he, she, it) and tense (present), highlighting immediate or current states. Feel, however, spans across various subjects (I, you, we, they) and tenses, allowing for more flexible usage in discussions about sensations or emotions.
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Comparison Chart
Grammatical Number
Singular
Singular or Plural
Person
Third person only
First, second, or third person
Tense
Present
Present, imperative, infinitive
Usage Context
Specific to subject’s state
General or command usage
Example Sentence
"He feels cold."
"I feel cold."
Compare with Definitions
Feels
Third Person Singular.
She feels excited about the trip.
Feel
Base Form of Verb.
They feel happy together.
Feels
Describes Emotion.
It feels like sadness is overtaking him.
Feel
To Perceive Sensations.
I feel a bump on my head.
Feels
Indicates Sensation.
He feels the roughness of the bark.
Feel
General Usage.
You feel what I mean?
Feels
Subject-specific Reaction.
She feels overwhelmed at work.
Feel
Imperative Form.
Feel the weight of this box.
Feels
Current State Indicator.
The cat feels warm in the sunlight.
Feel
To Experience Emotionally.
We feel joy at the news.
Feels
To perceive through the sense of touch
Feel the velvety smoothness of a peach.
Feel
Be aware of (a person or object) through touching or being touched
She felt someone touch her shoulder
You can feel the soft grass beneath your feet
Feels
To perceive as a physical sensation
Feel a sharp pain.
Feel the cold.
Feel
Experience (an emotion or sensation)
She started to feel really sick
It felt odd to be alone again
We feel very strongly about freedom of expression
I felt a sense of excitement
Feels
To touch
Reached out and felt the wall.
Feel
Have a belief or impression, especially without an identifiable reason
She felt that the woman positively disliked her
Feels
To examine by touching
Felt the fabric for flaws.
Feel
An act of touching something to examine it.
Feels
To test or explore with caution
Feel one's way in a new job.
Feel
A sensation given by an object or material when touched
Nylon cloth with a cotton feel
Feels
To undergo the experience of
Felt my interest rising.
Felt great joy.
Feel
Feelings of heightened emotion
Fans will undoubtedly get the feels when they see how things haven't changed
I cry at everything, even the types of movies you wouldn't expect to give you all the feels
Feels
To be aware of; sense
Felt the anger of the crowd.
Feel
To perceive through the sense of touch
Feel the velvety smoothness of a peach.
Feels
To be emotionally affected by
She still feels the loss of her dog.
Feel
To perceive as a physical sensation
Feel a sharp pain.
Feel the cold.
Feels
To be persuaded of (something) on the basis of intuition, emotion, or other indefinite grounds
I feel that what the informant says may well be true.
Feel
To touch
Reached out and felt the wall.
Feels
To believe; think
She felt his answer to be evasive.
Feel
To examine by touching
Felt the fabric for flaws.
Feels
To experience the sensation of touch.
Feel
To test or explore with caution
Feel one's way in a new job.
Feels
To produce a particular sensation, especially through the sense of touch
The sheets felt smooth.
Feel
To undergo the experience of
Felt my interest rising.
Felt great joy.
Feels
To produce a particular impression; appear to be; seem
It feels good to be home. See Usage Note at well2.
Feel
To be aware of; sense
Felt the anger of the crowd.
Feels
To be conscious of a specified kind or quality of physical, mental, or emotional state
Felt warm and content.
Feels strongly about the election.
Feel
To be emotionally affected by
She still feels the loss of her dog.
Feels
To seek or explore something by the sense of touch
Felt for the light switch in the dark.
Feel
To be persuaded of (something) on the basis of intuition, emotion, or other indefinite grounds
I feel that what the informant says may well be true.
Feels
To have compassion or sympathy
I feel for him in his troubles.
Feel
To believe; think
She felt his answer to be evasive.
Feels
Perception by touch or by sensation of the skin
A feel of autumn in the air.
Feel
To experience the sensation of touch.
Feels
The sense of touch
A surface that is rough to the feel.
Feel
To produce a particular sensation, especially through the sense of touch
The sheets felt smooth.
Feels
An act or instance of touching or feeling
Gave the carpet a feel.
Feel
To produce a particular impression; appear to be; seem
It feels good to be home. See Usage Note at well2.
Feels
An overall impression or effect
"gives such disparate pictures ... a crazily convincing documentary feel" (Stephen King).
Feel
To be conscious of a specified kind or quality of physical, mental, or emotional state
Felt warm and content.
Feels strongly about the election.
Feels
Intuitive awareness or natural ability
Has a feel for decorating.
Feel
To seek or explore something by the sense of touch
Felt for the light switch in the dark.
Feels
(archaic) feel, sensory perceptions that mainly or solely involve the sense of touch
Feel
To have compassion or sympathy
I feel for him in his troubles.
Feels
(colloquial) feelings; emotions.
Feel
Perception by touch or by sensation of the skin
A feel of autumn in the air.
Feels
(colloquial) emotional
Feel
The sense of touch
A surface that is rough to the feel.
Feel
An act or instance of touching or feeling
Gave the carpet a feel.
Feel
An overall impression or effect
"gives such disparate pictures ... a crazily convincing documentary feel" (Stephen King).
Feel
Intuitive awareness or natural ability
Has a feel for decorating.
Feel
(heading) To use or experience the sense of touch.
Feel
To become aware of through the skin; to use the sense of touch on.
You can feel a heartbeat if you put your fingers on your breast.
I felt cold and miserable all night.
Feel
(transitive) To find one's way (literally or figuratively) by touching or using cautious movements.
I felt my way through the darkened room.
I felt my way cautiously through the dangerous business maneuver.
Feel
(intransitive) To receive information by touch or by any neurons other than those responsible for sight, smell, taste, or hearing.
Feel
(intransitive) To search by sense of touch.
He felt for the light switch in the dark.
Feel
(heading) To sense or think emotionally or judgmentally.
Feel
(transitive) To experience an emotion or other mental state about.
I can feel the sadness in his poems.
Feel
(transitive) To think, believe, or have an impression concerning.
I feel that we need to try harder.
Feel
To experience an emotion or other mental state.
He obviously feels strongly about it.
She felt even more upset when she heard the details.
Feel
(intransitive) To sympathise; to have the sensibilities moved or affected.
I feel for you and your plight.
Feel
(transitive) To be or become aware of.
Feel
(transitive) To experience the consequences of.
Feel my wrath!
Feel
(copulative) To seem (through touch or otherwise).
It looks like wood, but it feels more like plastic.
This is supposed to be a party, but it feels more like a funeral!
Feel
To understand.
I don't want you back here, ya feel me?
Feel
(archaic) The sense of touch.
Feel
A perception experienced mainly or solely through the sense of touch.
Bark has a rough feel.
Feel
A vague mental impression.
You should get a feel for the area before moving in.
Feel
An act of fondling.
She gave me a quick feel to show that she loves me.
Feel
A vague understanding.
I'm getting a feel for what you mean.
Feel
An intuitive ability.
She has a feel for music.
Feel
A feeling; an emotion.
I know that feel.
Feel
Alternative form of fele
Feel
Alternative form of fele
Feel
Alternative form of fele
Feel
To perceive by the touch; to take cognizance of by means of the nerves of sensation distributed all over the body, especially by those of the skin; to have sensation excited by contact of (a thing) with the body or limbs.
Who feelThose rods of scorpions and those whips of steel.
Feel
To touch; to handle; to examine by touching; as, feel this piece of silk; hence, to make trial of; to test; often with out.
Come near, . . . that I may feel thee, my son.
He hath this to feel my affection to your honor.
Feel
To perceive by the mind; to have a sense of; to experience; to be affected by; to be sensible of, or sensitive to; as, to feel pleasure; to feel pain.
Teach me to feel another's woe.
Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing.
He best can paint them who shall feel them most.
Mankind have felt their strength and made it felt.
Feel
To take internal cognizance of; to be conscious of; to have an inward persuasion of.
For then, and not till then, he felt himself.
Feel
To perceive; to observe.
Feel
To have perception by the touch, or by contact of anything with the nerves of sensation, especially those upon the surface of the body.
Feel
To have the sensibilities moved or affected.
[She] feels with the dignity of a Roman matron
And mine as man, who feel for all mankind.
Feel
To be conscious of an inward impression, state of mind, persuasion, physical condition, etc.; to perceive one's self to be; - followed by an adjective describing the state, etc.; as, to feel assured, grieved, persuaded.
I then did feel full sick.
Feel
To know with feeling; to be conscious; hence, to know certainly or without misgiving.
Garlands . . . which I feelI am not worthy yet to wear.
Feel
To appear to the touch; to give a perception; to produce an impression by the nerves of sensation; - followed by an adjective describing the kind of sensation.
Blind men say black feels rough, and white feels smooth.
Feel
Feeling; perception.
To intercept and have a more kindly feel of its genial warmth.
Feel
A sensation communicated by touching; impression made upon one who touches or handles; as, this leather has a greasy feel.
The difference between these two tumors will be distinguished by the feel.
Feel
An intuitive awareness;
He has a feel for animals
It's easy when you get the feel of it
Feel
The general atmosphere of a place or situation and the effect that it has on people;
The feel of the city excited him
A clergyman improved the tone of the meeting
It had the smell of treason
Feel
A property perceived by touch
Feel
Undergo an emotional sensation;
She felt resentful
He felt regret
Feel
Come to believe on the basis of emotion, intuitions, or indefinite grounds;
I feel that he doesn't like me
I find him to be obnoxious
I found the movie rather entertaining
Feel
Perceive by a physical sensation, e.g., coming from the skin or muscles;
He felt the wind
She felt an object brushing her arm
He felt his flesh crawl
She felt the heat when she got out of the car
Feel
Seem with respect to a given sensation given;
My cold is gone--I feel fine today
She felt tired after the long hike
Feel
Have a feeling or perception about oneself in reaction to someone's behavior or attitude;
She felt small and insignificant
You make me feel naked
I made the students feel different about themselves
Feel
Undergo passive experience of:
We felt the effects of inflation
Her fingers felt their way through the string quartet
She felt his contempt of her
Feel
Be felt or perceived in a certain way;
The ground feels shaky
The sheets feel soft
Feel
Grope or feel in search of something;
He felt for his wallet
Feel
Examine by touch;
Feel this soft cloth!
The customer fingered the sweater
Feel
Examine (a body part) by palpation;
The nurse palpated the patient's stomach
The runner felt her pulse
Feel
Find by testing or cautious exploration;
He felt his way around the dark room
Feel
Produce a certain impression;
It feels nice to be home again
Common Curiosities
Can "feel" be used in infinitive forms?
Yes, "feel" is commonly used in infinitive forms, e.g., "to feel."
What is the grammatical function of "feels"?
"Feels" is the third person singular present tense form of the verb "feel."
Can "feel" be used with any subject?
Yes, "feel" can be used with I, you, we, and they.
Is "feels" used in past tense narratives?
No, "feels" is specifically for present tense usage.
Are there any idiomatic expressions with "feels"?
Yes, such as "feels under the weather."
What does "feels" convey in a sentence?
It conveys a specific, ongoing sensation or emotion experienced by he, she, or it.
Is "feel" appropriate for formal writing?
Yes, "feel" is appropriate and versatile in both formal and informal contexts.
How does context affect the use of "feels" versus "feel"?
"Feels" is more specific to an individual's state, while "feel" can be used more broadly.
Can "feel" and "feels" be used interchangeably?
No, they cannot due to differences in grammatical person and number.
How do "feels" and "feel" differ in imperative sentences?
"Feels" is not used in imperative sentences; "feel" is used instead, e.g., "Feel this."
Can "feels" start a sentence?
Typically, no; "feels" is used with a subject and is not usually the first word in a sentence.
Does the use of "feels" or "feel" change in different English dialects?
The basic usage does not change, although colloquial expressions might vary.
What should one remember when using "feels" in writing?
Remember to use it only for singular third-person subjects in the present tense.
What typical mistakes do learners of English make with "feels" and "feel"?
Mixing up the usage of "feels" with the wrong subject or tense.
Is "feel" used in questions?
Yes, "feel" is often used in questions, e.g., "How do you feel?"
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
