"I feel guilty" vs "I felt guilty"

Question

"I feel guilty" vs "I felt guilty"

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'I feel guilty' is used to express a current feeling of guilt, while 'I felt guilty' is used to talk about a past feeling of guilt. The choice between the two depends on whether the guilt is being experienced currently or in the past.

Last Updated: March 20, 2024

This phrase is used to describe a current feeling of guilt that the speaker is experiencing at the moment.

Examples:

I feel guilty about not helping my friend when she needed me.
She feels guilty for forgetting her sister's birthday.
Do you feel guilty for lying to your parents?
He feels guilty for breaking his promise.
They feel guilty for not studying for the exam.

Alternatives:

I am feeling guilty
I have guilt
I am guilty
I am experiencing guilt
I am filled with guilt

This phrase is used to describe a feeling of guilt that the speaker experienced in the past.

Examples:

I felt guilty after I lied to my friend.
She felt guilty for not attending the party.
He felt guilty about not keeping his promise.
They felt guilty for not helping their neighbor.
Did you feel guilty after eating all the cookies?

Alternatives:

I had felt guilty
I was feeling guilty
I had guilt
I was guilty
I had experienced guilt

Answer 1

I feel guilty

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express a current feeling of guilt.

Answer 2

I felt guilty

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to talk about a past feeling of guilt.

"I feel guilty" vs "I felt guilty"

I feel guilty

I felt guilty

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