Collocations For Feelings
Emotions are the colors of the human experience, painting our days with shades of joy, sorrow, excitement, and trepidation. The English language is rich with collocations — two or more words that often go together — that describe these myriad feelings with precision and nuance. In this article, we will delve into a tapestry of ‘feelings’ collocations and explore their depth through practical examples.
Table of Contents
Overwhelming Feelings
The term ‘overwhelming feelings’ connotes emotions that are so strong they are hard to manage or articulate.
Example: “She was struck by overwhelming feelings of gratitude when she saw the community rally to help her family after the fire.”
Mixed Feelings
‘Mixed feelings’ describe the experience of having contradictory emotions about a single event or situation.
Example: “He had mixed feelings about the promotion; it was a great career move but it also meant relocating and leaving his hometown.”
Hurt Feelings
‘Hurt feelings’ are the result of emotional pain or upset caused by the actions or words of another.
Example: “Her dismissive comments resulted in hurt feelings that took time to heal.”
Deep Feelings
‘Deep feelings’ suggest a profound emotional response that is often long-lasting and intensely personal.
Example: “Despite the passage of years, his deep feelings for his first love remained untouched.”
Intense Feelings
‘Intense feelings’ refer to strong, passionate emotions that can be both positive and negative.
Example: “The intense feelings that come with the early stages of a romance can be exhilarating and all-consuming.”
Strong Feelings
The collocation ‘strong feelings’ is used to describe emotions that are powerful and fervent.
Example: “She had strong feelings about the issue, leading her to campaign tirelessly for change.”
Inner Feelings
‘Inner feelings’ relate to private, personal emotions that one may not outwardly express.
Example: “He struggled to communicate his inner feelings of insecurity and opted to keep them buried.”
Genuine Feelings
‘Genuine feelings’ are sincere, authentic emotions, free from pretense or deceit.
Example: “His apology came with a sense of genuine feelings of remorse that touched everyone involved.”
Hard Feelings
The phrase ‘hard feelings’ usually refers to feelings of resentment or bitterness resulting from a dispute or misunderstanding.
Example: “They agreed to part ways without any hard feelings, acknowledging that their partnership had run its course.”
Conflicting Feelings
‘Conflicting feelings’ are emotions that clash with each other, making it difficult to decide how one truly feels.
Example: “She had conflicting feelings about the move abroad; the excitement of adventure and the sadness of leaving family.”
Raw Feelings
‘Raw feelings’ describe emotions that are fresh, powerful, and sometimes painful, often due to a recent event.
Example: “In the wake of the tragedy, the survivors’ raw feelings were palpable.”
Emotional Feelings
The collocation ’emotional feelings’ emphasizes that the feelings in question pertain to one’s emotions rather than to physical sensations or intellectual thoughts.
Example: “The movie triggered emotional feelings, leaving many in the audience in tears.”
Warm Feelings
‘Warm feelings’ convey a sense of affection, fondness, or comfort towards someone or something.
Example: “Returning to her old school, she was filled with warm feelings as she reminisced about her childhood.”
Negative Feelings
‘Negative feelings’ generally refer to emotions that are unpleasant or harmful, such as anger, sadness, or fear.
Example: “To maintain a healthy work environment, it’s important to address and resolve negative feelings promptly.”
Positive Feelings
Conversely, ‘positive feelings’ encompass emotions that contribute to happiness, contentment, and well-being.
Example: “Spending time with family over the holidays often generates positive feelings and strengthens bonds.”
Subconscious Feelings
‘Subconscious feelings’ are those that reside below the level of conscious awareness, influencing behavior in unseen ways.
Example: “Sometimes, a person’s actions are driven by subconscious feelings that even they might not fully understand.”
Fleeting Feelings
‘Fleeting feelings’ are emotions that pass quickly and do not linger for an extended period.
Example: “The disappointment was but a fleeting feeling, soon replaced by determination to try again.”
Unresolved Feelings
‘Unresolved feelings’ are emotions related to past events that have not been fully dealt with or processed.
Example: “Their abrupt breakup left him with unresolved feelings that he struggled to articulate.”
Shared Feelings
‘Shared feelings’ refer to emotions that are experienced in common between two or more individuals.
Example: “The team’s victory led to shared feelings of joy and pride throughout the city.”
Personal Feelings
‘Personal feelings’ are the specific emotional responses thatbelong to an individual, influenced by their unique experiences and perceptions.
Example: “Despite the general excitement, her personal feelings about the new policy were rather skeptical, shaped by her previous experiences.”
Final Thoughts
Collocations for feelings are instrumental in expressing the complex and varied nature of our emotional lives. The examples provided illustrate how these collocations can be used to convey the subtleties and intensities of our feelings, offering us a richer language for describing the emotional tapestry that is woven into our daily existence.
In conclusion, understanding and using collocations for feelings can enhance our communication, allowing us to share our inner worlds with greater clarity and empathy. Whether we are describing overwhelming feelings or fleeting feelings, the language we choose can bridge the gap between hearts and minds, connecting us through the universal language of emotion.
