Cool MateFeel vs I think feel that way
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Feel
Top 1,000 (very common)A1
I think feel that way
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Feel
| Feel | I think feel that way | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/fiːl/","/fiːlz/","/felt/","/ˈfiːlɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/fiːl/","/fiːlz/","/felt/","/ˈfiːlɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //aɪ θɪŋk fiːl ðæt weɪ//🇺🇸 //aɪ θɪŋk fil ðæt weɪ// |
| Meaning | To experience an emotion or physical sensation. | To have a personal opinion or emotion about something. |
| Example | I can feel the soft grass under my feet. | I think feel that way because of my past experiences. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | - |
| Collocations | deeply, strongly, really, about, for, deeply, strongly, really, about, for, deeply, strongly, really, about, for | I think feel that way often, I think feel that way sometimes, I think feel that way about it |
| Antonyms | ignore, disregard, neglect | - |
| Common mistakes | 'Feel' is not the same as 'think' — do not use it for opinions., Do not say 'feel about' — use 'feel about something' instead., Misuse of 'feel' in the past tense; ensure proper conjugation (e.g. 'I felt'). | Confusing with 'I believe' - 'think' is less certain than 'believe'., Omitting 'that' - 'I think feel way' is incorrect., 'Feel that way' is often misused without context. |
| Usage notes | Commonly used to express emotions (e.g. 'I feel happy') and physical sensations (e.g. 'I feel cold'). More formal contexts may use 'experience' instead. Avoid using in extremely formal writing. | Commonly used in everyday conversation to express personal opinions or feelings. Can be informal in casual settings but is acceptable in neutral speech. |
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Frequently asked questions: Feel vs I think feel that way
What's the difference between Feel and I think feel that way?
Feel: To experience an emotion or physical sensation. I think feel that way: To have a personal opinion or emotion about something.
Which is more common: Feel and I think feel that way?
Feel is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Feel: I can feel the soft grass under my feet. I think feel that way: I think feel that way because of my past experiences.
Can I use Feel and I think feel that way interchangeably?
Not always. Feel and I think feel that way are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.