The Right Way to Say "I Feel Good": A Guide to English Expression

When learning English, some of the trickiest phrases involve expressing how we feel. Today, let's clear up a common source of confusion: the correct way to say you're feeling good!

The Simple Truth: "I Feel Good"

The most straightforward and correct way to express this sentiment is simply:

These are both perfectly correct, with just a slight difference in meaning:

• "I feel good" - a simple statement about your current state
• "I'm feeling good" - emphasizes the ongoing nature of your good feeling

Why Less Is More

You might wonder why we don't say "I feel myself good" or similar variations. Here's why:

• The verb "feel" is already understood to be reflexive when talking about emotions
• Adding "myself" is unnecessary and can change the meaning entirely
• English tends to favor simpler constructions when they're available

Adding Emphasis Correctly

If you want to emphasize that you personally feel good, there are correct ways to do it:

The key is placing "myself" or other emphatic phrases in positions that modify "I" rather than "feel."

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Understanding Why These Are Mistakes

The reason these constructions don't work is that "feel" functions differently when followed by "myself":

1. When expressing emotions or states, "feel" doesn't need a reflexive pronoun
2. When "feel" is used with "myself," it implies physical touch
3. Some constructions with "feel myself" have inappropriate connotations in English

International Perspective

Many languages use reflexive pronouns differently than English does. For example:

• Some languages require a reflexive pronoun for feeling expressions
• In English, the "I" already implies the reflexive nature of the feeling

Tips for Getting It Right

Other Common Feeling Expressions

Quick Reference Guide

The Bottom Line

When expressing how you feel in English, remember that simpler is usually better. Stick with "I feel good" or "I'm feeling good," and you'll be expressing yourself naturally and correctly.