Dear *Maria*,
I have just spent 3 hours writing an answer to a question which I saw on ESLP. A moment ago, I re-read your question and then also re-read my answer. Unfortunately, the answer that I wrote, SUPERB though it is, answers an ENTIRELY DIFFERENT question to the question that you asked.
I apologise!
If anyone wishes to know why, in English, we normally say: "I feel happy"; "It tastes good", "You smell nice", etc, and NOT "I am feeling happy"; "It is tasting good"; "You are smelling nice", etc, I shall be happy to forward my answer to you.
*Maria*, the answers given on the ESLP Forum about this query so far, are excellent.
So now, *Maria*, I will try to answer YOUR QUESTION. Is it possible to say "I feel myself happy" ?
Yes, it is possible, because almost everything is possible, if the context allows it. Is it probable? No, I have never heard a person in the UK use that particular construction. I would use: "I am happy." Is it informal? I think that it is neither formal nor informal --- it seems to me to be a peculiar construction. Is it American? I think not, because I have never heard it in the numerous American films that I have seen (and I can understand most foreign languages). (Joke!).
If I tried to envisage a situation where it might be used. I suggest the following, (but "I feel happy" would be just as appropriate).
Doctor: "When I inject you with the drug, please tell me how you feel."
Patient: "At first, I am anxious. I feel nothing but problems all around me. Then, gradually, slowly, I can see myself, lying on this bed. Then, I feel myself becoming relaxed and drowsy. I feel all of my troubles, all of my problems are coming out of my mouth and disappearing into the air, like smoke. Then, I feel myself floating, floating on a cloud above the city, looking down. All those poor people down there, with all their problems, and I have NONE! I have NO problems. I feel myself happy, and relaxed, and at peace. Then, slowly, gently,I feel myself floating back to earth, back to your lovely hospital: back to this lovely, warm bed. Thank you for helping me, Doctor!
So, I suggest that the sentence "I feel myself happy" could be used in a situation where the individual, almost as an observer, is looking at himself/herself and describing his/her own feelings. "I see myself lying on the bed, and I feel myself having all these conflicting emotions --- one moment I feel myself happy, then the next moment I feel myself sad."
This is somewhat similar to the answer of Alex1968.
Answers given by Bruce are always worth reading and noting.
Lynne (Cunliffe) raises an interesting point. "I feel, myself, happy." You feel happy, but others may not feel happy. This is equivalent to: "I feel myself happy, although others, themselves, may feel bad."
However, like Lynne, I think that I would punctuate it: "I feel, myself, happy."
But I am loathe to write anything about Lynne, except to say that Lynne is intelligent, witty, attractive, kind, pretty, sweet, amusing ... ... and shall I go on?
You see, I have had the pleasure of MEETING our dear friend Lynne, in Newcastle, and spending 3 hours in her charming company, on a lightning Tour of the city. I have the photographs to PROVE it. Once again, Lynne, "Thank you."
In "A Comprehensive Grammar of the English Language" by Professor Randolph Quirk et al, 2010, they write:
Obligatory Reflexive Pronoun as Object.
Note.
(a) Many verbs can have different constructions, eg: enjoy.
I enjoyed myself [�had a good time �]
I enjoyed the party [�took pleasure in �]
I enjoyed the guests [�liked�] (especially American English)
In American English this verb is also used intransitively as an Imperative Enjoy!, equivalent to �Bon Appetit�.
(b) Feel is semi-reflexive in a complex-transitive construction [4] but non-reflexive in copular use [5].
She always felt (herself) a stranger in their house. 4
She always felt (herself) wounded by his remarks. 4
She felt cold. 5
In normal circumstances, I would always use: "I feel happy."
I hope that I have helped you a little, *Maria*.
Очень приятно.
Les
P.S. How do I pronounce *Maria* (with 2 asterisks)?
