Feel Verb Forms: Present, Past, and Participle
The verb feel is an irregular verb. Its past tense and past participle are both felt. The present tense forms are feel (base form), feels (third person singular), and feeling (present participle/gerund). This guide covers all forms, common uses, and typical mistakes so you can use feel correctly in writing, conversation, and email.
Quick Answer: Feel Verb Forms
| Form | Example |
|---|---|
| Base form (present) | I feel tired today. |
| Third person singular | She feels happy about the news. |
| Past tense | He felt nervous before the interview. |
| Past participle | They have felt this way for weeks. |
| Present participle / Gerund | I am feeling better now. |
Present Tense Forms of Feel
Base Form (Feel)
Use feel with I, you, we, and they. It describes a current emotion, physical sensation, or opinion.
Examples:
- I feel cold. Can you close the window?
- We feel this plan is too risky.
- You feel the fabric to check its quality.
Context note: In casual conversation, feel is very common. In formal writing or email, you might use believe or think for opinions, but feel is still acceptable, especially when expressing emotion.
Third Person Singular (Feels)
Use feels with he, she, it, or a singular noun.
Examples:
- She feels proud of her work.
- The soup feels hot.
- He feels that we should wait.
Present Participle (Feeling)
Use feeling with helping verbs (am, is, are, was, were) or as a gerund (noun form).
Examples:
- I am feeling much better today.
- They are feeling anxious about the exam.
- Feeling tired is normal after a long flight.
Past Tense and Past Participle: Felt
The past tense and past participle of feel are both felt. This is an irregular verb, so you do not add -ed.
Past Tense (Felt)
Use felt for actions or states completed in the past.
Examples:
- Yesterday, I felt a sharp pain in my back.
- She felt relieved when the test was over.
- We felt the earthquake last night.
Past Participle (Felt)
Use felt with have, has, or had to form perfect tenses, or in passive voice.
Examples:
- I have never felt so happy.
- She had felt unwell before the meeting.
- The loss was felt by everyone in the team.
Comparison Table: Feel vs. Other Sensory Verbs
| Verb | Past Tense | Past Participle | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feel | Felt | Felt | I felt the cold air. |
| Touch | Touched | Touched | She touched the surface. |
| Sense | Sensed | Sensed | He sensed danger. |
| Experience | Experienced | Experienced | We experienced joy. |
Note: Feel is more about internal sensation or emotion, while touch is physical contact. Sense is more intuitive, and experience is broader.
Natural Examples in Context
Everyday Conversation
- “How do you feel about the party?” “I feel excited.”
- “I felt so awkward when I forgot his name.”
- “She feels like going out tonight.”
Email and Formal Writing
- “I feel that the proposal needs more detail.” (formal but acceptable)
- “We have felt the impact of the new policy.”
- “Please let us know how you feel about the schedule.”
Nuance: Feel vs. Think
In formal writing, think is often preferred for opinions, while feel emphasizes emotion. Compare:
- “I think we should invest.” (logical opinion)
- “I feel we should invest.” (emotional or intuitive opinion)
In conversation, both are common, but feel can sound more personal.
Common Mistakes with Feel
Mistake 1: Using “feeled” instead of “felt”
Incorrect: Yesterday, I feeled happy.
Correct: Yesterday, I felt happy.
Mistake 2: Confusing “feel” with “fall”
Incorrect: I fell tired. (Fell is past tense of fall.)
Correct: I felt tired.
Mistake 3: Using “felt” as a present tense
Incorrect: I felt good today. (If you mean right now.)
Correct: I feel good today.
Mistake 4: Forgetting the past participle in perfect tenses
Incorrect: I have feel this way before.
Correct: I have felt this way before.
Better Alternatives and When to Use Them
| Situation | Better Alternative | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Formal opinion | Believe / Consider | I believe this is the best option. |
| Physical touch | Touch / Handle | Please touch the fabric. |
| Strong emotion | Experience / Sense | She experienced deep sadness. |
| Intuition | Sense | I sense something is wrong. |
When to use “feel”: Use feel for personal emotions, physical sensations, and casual opinions. It is natural in conversation and most emails. For very formal reports or academic writing, consider believe or consider for opinions.
Mini Practice: Feel Verb Forms
Complete each sentence with the correct form of feel (feel, feels, felt, feeling). Answers are below.
- She ________ very nervous before the speech yesterday.
- I ________ a strange sensation right now.
- They have ________ that way for a long time.
- He is ________ much better after the rest.
Answers
- felt
- feel
- felt
- feeling
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is “feel” a regular or irregular verb?
Feel is an irregular verb. Its past tense and past participle are felt, not “feeled.”
2. Can I use “felt” as a past participle?
Yes. Felt is both the past tense and past participle. Example: “I have felt this before.”
3. What is the difference between “feel” and “felt” in a sentence?
Feel is present tense (I feel happy now). Felt is past tense (I felt happy yesterday) or past participle (I have felt happy).
4. Is “feeling” a verb or a noun?
Feeling can be a present participle (I am feeling good) or a gerund/noun (Feeling good is important). Both are correct.
For more help with verb forms, visit our Verb Forms Explained section. To learn about other past tense patterns, check Past Tense Forms. If you want to avoid common errors, see Common Verb Mistakes. For questions about our content, read our FAQ or contact us.
