Introduction
English is full of words that sound similar but are spelled differently, and one such pair that often confuses writers is “feal” vs “feel.” While these two words may look similar at first glance, only one is correct in standard English usage. Many people mistakenly write feal, thinking it is an alternative spelling of feel, but feal is not recognized in English dictionaries.
Although they may sound identical, feel and feal serve completely different purposes, or in the case of feal, simply shouldn’t be used at all. Using the wrong spelling can make your writing appear careless or unprofessional.
What Is “Feel”?
Definition
Feel is a verb that means:
- To experience an emotion or sensation
- To perceive through touch
- To express an impression or opinion
Usage
- Experiencing emotions: I feel happy today.
- Physical sensation: I feel the soft fabric under my hands.
- Opinion or impression: I feel this decision is correct.
Examples
- She can feel the warmth of the sun on her skin.
- I feel nervous before every presentation.
- He feels confident about the project’s outcome.
Memory Trick
Think feel = emotion or sensation. Whenever you talk about sensing or emotions, “feel” is the correct choice.
What Is “Feal”?
Definition
Feal is incorrect and is not a recognized English word. Writing feal instead of feel is a common typo, but it is always considered a spelling mistake.
Incorrect Examples
- ❌ I feal happy today.
- ❌ Can you feal the texture?
Corrected Version
- ✔️ I feel happy today.
- ✔️ Can you feel the texture?
Memory Tip
If you hear someone saying “I feal…” in your head, replace it with feel in your mind. Always remember: one “e” and one “l” after “f”.
Feel vs Feal: Comparison Table
| Feature | Feel | Feal |
|---|---|---|
| Correct Spelling | ✔️ Yes | ❌ No |
| Meaning | To experience a sensation, emotion, or impression | ❌ Incorrect / No meaning |
| Usage | Everyday English, formal writing, literature | ❌ Not acceptable |
| Examples | I feel cold. | ❌ I feal cold. |
| Dictionary | ✔️ Included in all English dictionaries | ❌ Not recognized |
Common Mistakes with “Feel”
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| I feal happy today. | I feel happy today. | “Feal” is a typo; “feel” expresses emotion. |
| Can you feal this texture? | Can you feel this texture? | Sensation is always “feel.” |
| She feals confident. | She feels confident. | Third-person singular adds s: feels. |
Real-Life Conversation Examples
Dialogue 1: Emotional Context
A: “I feal excited about the trip.”
B: “It’s feel, not feal. So: I feel excited.”
🎯 Lesson: Always spell correctly when expressing emotions.
Dialogue 2: Physical Sensation
A: “Can you feal the fabric?”
B: “You mean feel the fabric. One ‘e’, one ‘l’.”
🎯 Lesson: Physical sensations = feel.
Dialogue 3: Opinion or Impression
A: “I feal this decision is wrong.”
B: “Remember: it’s feel, not feal.”
🎯 Lesson: Opinions are always expressed with “feel.”
Dialogue 4: Third-Person Singular
A: “She feal nervous about the exam.”
B: “It should be feels: She feels nervous.”
🎯 Lesson: Add s for third-person singular.
When to Use “Feel” vs “Feal”
- Use “feel” when expressing emotions, sensations, impressions, or opinions.
- Never use “feal” it is always incorrect.
Fun Facts About “Feel”
- Origin: The word “feel” comes from Old English felan, meaning to perceive or touch.
- History: “Feel” has been in use for over 1,000 years, retaining its meaning of sensation and perception.
- Literature: Many poets and authors use “feel” to describe both physical and emotional experiences.
Advanced Examples of “Feel” in Context
- Emotional: I feel grateful for your support.
- Physical: You should feel the softness of this carpet.
- Opinion: I feel this strategy will work.
- Idiomatic Expressions:
- Feel free → You can feel free to ask questions.
- Feel like → I feel like going for a walk.
- Feel up to → I don’t feel up to attending the party.
Proofreading Checklist for “Feel” vs “Feal”
- Did I check for the correct spelling: feel?
- Did I remember third-person singular: feels?
- Is there a typo where feal was mistakenly typed?
- Did I use feel for emotion, sensation, or opinion only?
- Did I maintain consistent spelling throughout the document?
FAQs About “Feel” vs “Feal”
Q1: Can I ever use “feal” in English?
A: No. “Feal” is never correct. Always use feel.
Q2: What is the past tense of feel?
A: Felt. Example: I felt happy yesterday.
Q3: How do I remember the spelling?
A: Focus on f-e-e-l, one “e” after “f” and one “l” at the end.
Q4: Is “feal” used in any dialect?
A: No. “Feal” is a misspelling and not recognized in any English dialect.
Q5: Does “feel” work in idioms?
A: Yes. Examples include: feel like, feel free, feel up to.
Conclusion
The difference between feel and feal is simple: only feel is correct. Use feel when talking about emotions, physical sensations, impressions, or opinions. “Feal” is always wrong and should be avoided in professional or casual writing. By following memory tricks, checking your spelling, and practicing examples, you can confidently write feel in any context. Next time you want to express how you sense, perceive, or experience something, you’ll know exactly how to spell it correctly!
