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How to Express Feelings in English

Published on August 23, 2020 | Updated on April 13, 2024

Do you ever express your feelings in English when you communicate with others in different situations and places?

Do you ever use expressions the following expressions?

  • That sounds terrible
  • That’s too bad
  • I feel so bad for you
  • That’s amazing
  • That’s awesome
  • I am really happy for you
  • I can’t thank you enough

Now let’s learn more expressions and how we can use them in different situations


Examples of How to Express Feelings

We can divide all those expressions into two categories;

  • Expressions with a positive connotation
  • Expressions with a negative connotation

These are some of the expressions to show that you feel good:

  • Those are good news
  • Good for you
  • Congratulations
  • That sounds nice
  • That sounds interesting
  • That’s amazing

These are some expressions to state that something is wrong:

  • That’s too bad
  • Those are really bad news
  • That sounds terrible
  • That sounds horrible
  • I am sorry
  • I am so sorry for you
  • I can’t believe it

Phrases to Express Frustration

These are some expressions to state that you are angry or upset:

  • I feel sad
  • I am upset
  • I am sick of this
  • This is making me crazy
  • I hate this

Phrases to Express Gratitude

These are some expressions to express gratitude

  • Thank you so much
  • Thanks for your help
  • Thanks a bunch
  • Thanks a ton
  • I don’t know what to say. Thank you
  • You are the best
  • You rock
  • I appreciate you

Exchanges Expressing your Feelings

These are some short exchanges using some of the expressions previously introduced

  • Hi Mike, I got promoted
  • I am so happy for you Derek
  • There will be layoffs in the department
  • That sounds terrible
  • I got fired a few minutes ago
  • I am so sorry for you
  • I will be transferred to another branch
  • We are gonna miss you
  • I have to finish 20 reports by the end of the day
  • That’s too bad
  • I made 40 sales this morning
  • That’s amazing
  • I got a raise
  • Congratulations
  • I got a salary increase
  • That’s wonderful

Questions to Ask People How They Feel

These are some of the most common questions to ask people how they feel

  • How are you feeling today?
  • You look sad. Are you OK?
  • You look upset. Are you OK?
  • You seem a little bit distracted. Are you alright?
  • You seem kind of low today. What’s wrong?
  • What’s wrong?
  • What’s the matter?
  • Are you OK?
  • Are you alright?
  • Are you angry?
  • Are you happy?
  • Is everything OK?
  • Is everything alright?

Let’s have a look at some examples of how to respond to these:

  • How are you feeling today?
  • Kinda sad, I am overwhelmed with work
  • You look upset. Are you OK?
  • I deleted my project and I have to start from scratch again
  • Is everything OK?
  • I feel sad about working on Christmas
  • What’s the matter?
  • I have tons of work to do
  • Are you angry?
  • A little bit. I had problems with some clients

Conversations about How to Express your Feelings in English

These are two conversations about how people feel about some situations at work.

This is a short conversation that takes place in a website design agency

SamHi Sam
LindaHi Linda
SamReady to finish and deliver the project today?
Linda I don’t think so
SamWhat happened?
LindaThe customer keeps asking for last-minute changes to the site
SamThat sucks, I hate when that happens
LindaYeah, you don’t have to tell me that
SamDo you need some help?
LindaThank you, Do you know CSS?
SamThat’s what I love about website design

This is a short conversation that takes place in a call center

TracyHi Tracy
TonyHi Tony
TracyHow is everything today?
TonyNot good
Tracywhat happened?
Tonya lot of angry customers today
TracyThat’s too bad
TonyYeah, I don’t really like to deal with complaints
TracyI am so sorry to hear that
TonyI hope I get used to this soon
TracyWe all went through that, and you will.

Should I use that sucks in Conversations?

Some people wonder if it is appropriate to use that sucks in conversations.

My opinion is that the expression “that sucks” can be used in any informal situation since that word reveals how you feel about a situation.

According to the Cambridge Online Dictionary, the word sucks is used when something or someone is bad or unpleasant

It is slang so use it with people who you are friends with.

These are two-exchange conversations so you get familiar with its use:

  • I have to work until late
  • That sucks
  • I lost $20 when I went to the cafeteria
  • That sucks
  • I spilled the coffee all over my keyboard
  • That sucks
  • I called my ex by accident
  • That really sucks
  • I messed up this computer
  • That sucks

More Lessons

These are some other lessons that you might be interested in

  1. How to Ask for Clarification in English
  2. How to Make Plans in English
  3. How to Give Advice in English
  4. How to Talk about Health Problems in English
  5. How to Talk about Sport and Leisure Activities
  6. How to Give Directions in English
  7. How to Talk about Vacation Plans in English
  8. How to Make Complaints in English
Manuel Campos

Manuel Campos

I am Jose Manuel, English professor and creator of EnglishPost.org, a blog whose mission is to share lessons for those who want to learn and improve their English