Why do "do you feel like you're" and "does it feel like you're" mean the same thing?
I just realised that these questions
- Does it feel like you're dying?
- Do you feel like you're dying?
Mean the same thing. Maybe other English speakers can notice differences in nuance, but I can't. I guess an argument could be made that the first is less personal, but that doesn't really stand out to me.
How come these mean the same thing?
Solution 1:
But they don't necessarily mean the same thing. There can be subtle, although quite distinct, difference.
They could be interpreted the same way, but there are certainly contexts where they convey different meanings.
This is very much to do with the possible ambiguity of the word feel.
What follows are two possible interpretations, each using a different sense from Merriam-Webster.
1 a : to receive or be able to receive a tactile sensation
// lost the ability to feel in his fingertips
Here is a possible context:
"I understand you just had a root canal. I can't imagine what that would feel like. Does it feel like you're dying?"
This is a figurative comparison between the experience of having a root canal and the imagined suffering of dying.
2 b : to have a marked sentiment or opinion
// feels strongly about it
Here is a possible context:
"The doctor says you're having a heart attack. Hold my hand! Do you feel like you're dying? Is there somebody I should call?"
This is a literal question, where the person is being asked if they believe they are actually about to die.