Hello! This week on Ask a Teacher, we answer a question from Ana in Brazil about the difference between “feel” and “feel like.”
Question
Hi guys
I’ve… learned a lot from VOA English.
I’m so grateful for helping us with our difficulties on English learning.
My question is about the use of the verb “to feel”. What’s the difference between “feel” and “feel like” and other uses of this verb? And if its use is followed by a verb plus ING.
Thank you so much in advance.
Ana Lúcia from Brazil
Answer
Thank you for writing, Ana. We’re happy you learn a lot from Learning English. And I’m happy to answer your question.
Feel
The verb “feel” has many meanings in English. It can mean to experience an emotion:
I always feel thankful to my parents.
Or experience something in your body:
She felt a pain in her back.
“Feel” can mean to touch something:
I feel the rough sand under my feet.
Or to describe the weather:
It feels cold outside.
“Feel” can also show an opinion:
Do you feel strongly about the situation?
He feels sure we are right.
Feel like
“Feel like” is a phrasal verb. We often use “feel like” in a sentence to go with (someone or something) and (doing something).
“Feel like” someone or something means that you are similar to the person or thing:
My feet feel like blocks of ice.
Maria feels like her mother.
“Feel like” doing something means that you want to do it. This is when the verb is often followed by –ing.
Jose feels like eating ice cream.
She feels like watching a movie.
Sometimes, “feel like” can be used in this way without -ing:
Jose feels like ice cream.
She feels like a movie.
It is understood that he wants to eat ice cream or that she wants to watch a movie.
And we also use “feel like” to show an opinion:
I feel like this isn’t a good idea.
We hope this explanation helps you, Ana.
Do you have a question about American English? Send us an email at learningenglish@voanews.com.
And that’s Ask a Teacher.
I’m Gena Bennett.
Gena Bennett wrote this lesson for VOA Learning English.
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Words in This Story
grateful–n. thankful
advance–n. forward in time