able to feel

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   having the physical or mental capacity to experience emotions or physical sensations

   Grammar: Used after a linking verb like be or seem, often followed by a noun or that-clause.

   Patterns

   • be able to feel something
   • be able to feel that ...
   • seem able to feel something

   After the accident, she was still able to feel her fingers and toes.

   He is able to feel joy again after months of sadness.

   The patient was not able to feel any pain in his left leg.

2. 2phrasefixed phrase

   having the ability to notice or be aware of something through the senses or intuition

   Grammar: Often followed by a noun phrase or a clause beginning with that.

   Patterns

   • be able to feel something
   • be able to feel that ...

   Dogs are able to feel changes in the weather long before humans do.

   I was able to feel that something was wrong as soon as I entered the room.

Common combinations

able to feel pain

The injury was so severe that he was not able to feel pain.

able to feel emotions

Some people believe that animals are able to feel emotions like fear and happiness.

able to feel a connection

She felt able to feel a connection with the characters in the book.

able to feel the difference

With practice, you will be able to feel the difference between the two textures.

Synonyms and how they differ

capable of feeling

More formal and often used in scientific or philosophical contexts; 'able to feel' is more everyday.

sensitive to

Focuses on reacting to something specific, while 'able to feel' is broader and about capacity.

Opposites

Word family

feel verb

To experience an emotion or physical sensation.

feeling noun

An emotional state or physical sensation.

able adjective

Having the power, skill, or means to do something.

Commonly confused: able to feel or able to feel like?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “able to feel”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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