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Some sentence construction with feel Like 1.Feel like +verb ing

*I feel like dancing (the speaker has a desire to dance ) Feel like something means have a desire for something. It implies desire and it's weak and passive way to express desire. I'm quite familar with this structure. But , 2.feel like +to +verb or feel like +to be

For example , *what would it be like to live forever ? *what would it feel like to touch a human brain ? *what would it feel like to climb the mount Everest ? **what does it feel like to climb the mount Everest ? *what does depression feel like ?

Now , I'm not understanding what 'feel like 'means in the above sentences (questions ). I'm also not understanding why 'would' is used there in the place of 'does ' ? Please also explain me about "feel like +to +verb or feel like +to be" sentence structure?

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  • You seem to mix three grammar issues together: a) I feel like VERB-ing; b) What does/would it feel like to VERB-phrase?; and c) the difference between does and would in b). A hint on b): consider its affirmative equivalent, i.e., It feels/would feel like ____ to VERB-phrase.
    – Damkerng T.
    Commented May 14, 2016 at 2:35
  • Yes, i've mixed but no one is understanding my points while answering my question. . . They'v missed something.
    – yubraj
    Commented May 14, 2016 at 13:24

2 Answers 2

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The example sentences, when stated, express "curiosity". It doesn't necessarily mean that it has to be experienced, rather, the speaker ponders on what something (particularly an activity/circumstance/experience) feels like.

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  • Actually happened ? Do you mean it's used for past experience? And what about "feel like+ to+verb ?
    – yubraj
    Commented May 13, 2016 at 5:19
  • I'm asking what about feel like to +verb ?
    – yubraj
    Commented May 13, 2016 at 9:50
  • Hi, you may check chown's answer here: ell.stackexchange.com/questions/57006/…
    – shin
    Commented May 13, 2016 at 9:53
  • But, feel like+v is possible in question, *what would it feel like to climb the mount Everest ?
    – yubraj
    Commented May 13, 2016 at 13:25
  • Could you please tell me?
    – yubraj
    Commented May 13, 2016 at 13:26
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'feel like' is not a weak and passive way to express desire. It's a normal way to express a desire.

I feel like eating a sandwich.

(But: I feel like you hate me.)

'would' is used because it's a hypothetical question. You're not about to do it.

'does' is used if it might actually happen.

Do we have to go to school today?

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  • Actually happened ? Do you mean it's used for past experience? And what about "feel like+ to+verb ?
    – yubraj
    Commented May 13, 2016 at 5:20
  • @yubrajsharma See edited answer.
    – Cathy Gartaganis
    Commented May 13, 2016 at 5:29
  • I'm asking what about feel like to +verb ?
    – yubraj
    Commented May 13, 2016 at 9:50
  • @yubrajsharma Not an option. feel like + ing
    – Cathy Gartaganis
    Commented May 13, 2016 at 11:22

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