Verbs that are easily confused – part 1
The following verbs are easily confused.
Fall / fell / fallen
- My birthday falls on Monday.
- He fell off the ladder.
- The cost of essential items has finally fallen.
- So many innocents have fallen and become hardened sinners.
Feel / felt / felt
Felt is the past and past participle form of feel.
- My head feels funny.
- I could feel his pain.
- I like the feel of silk against my skin.
- She felt no pain.
Usage note
Feel is an overused word. It is often used as a synonym for think, believe and know.
- I feel that he should resign. (= I think that he should resign.)
- I know he is right. (Better than ‘I feel he is right.’)
- I think that we are making a mistake. (Better than I feel that we are making a mistake.)
If you think, believe or know, say so. Don’t hide behind the word feel.
