The students felt confident before the test.

Meaning: The students believed in their ability to do well on the test.

Choice of Words: Students are people who are learning. Felt means experienced a particular emotion or sensation. Confident means having a strong belief in one's abilities.

Alternative Expressions

The students were sure of themselves before the test.

Meaning: This sentence means that the students were certain or confident about their abilities before taking the test. They were not nervous or worried, and they believed that they would do well.

Choice of Words: Students are people who are learning at a school or other educational institution. Were is a verb that means to exist or to be in a certain state. Sure means to be certain or confident about something. Of is a preposition that means belonging to or relating to something. Themselves is a reflexive pronoun that refers back to the subject of the sentence. Before is a preposition that means in the time leading up to something. Test is a noun that refers to an assessment of knowledge or skills. When you put these words together, you get the sentence "The students were sure of themselves before the test," which means that the students were certain or confident about their abilities before taking the test.

The students had confidence before the test.

Meaning: This sentence means that the students possessed a feeling of certainty or sureness about their abilities before taking the test. They were not nervous or worried, and they believed that they would do well.

Choice of Words: Students are people who are learning at a school or other educational institution. Had is a verb that means to possess or own something. Confidence is a noun that refers to a feeling of certainty or sureness about something. Before is a preposition that means in the time leading up to something. Test is a noun that refers to an assessment of knowledge or skills. When you put these words together, you get the sentence "The students had confidence before the test," which means that the students possessed a feeling of certainty or sureness about their abilities before taking the test.

Related Expressions