I had a premonition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I had a premonition" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a feeling or intuition about something that is going to happen in the future, often something negative or foreboding. Example: "As I walked into the dark alley, I had a premonition that something was not right."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

I think I had a premonition.

The Guardian - Books

I started writing this down because I had a premonition.

Independent

Instantly I had a premonition that much more than a fowl was cooking.

The New Yorker

"As I was leaving, I had a premonition that I was going to marry that guy," she said.

The New Yorker

Not everybody who signed to Invictus became successful, but in the studio I had a premonition.

The Guardian

That's when I had a premonition of the invasion to come".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Did I have a premonition that our lives would somehow intersect?

Los Angeles Times

A few days later, I have a premonition that Angelyne is in Caracas, working for the CIA.

Los Angeles Times

After spending this weekend at the Virtual Reality Los Angeles Spring Expo, I have a premonition that virtual reality will soon give that same feeling to people.

Vice

After spending this weekend at the Virtual Reality Conference in Los Angeles, I have a premonition that virtual reality will soon give that same feeling to people.

Vice

But on Sept.11, 2001, as I watched the news coverage of planes hitting the World Trade Center, I instantly had a premonition that my visa would be delayed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I had a premonition" to convey a strong, intuitive feeling about a future event, especially when the feeling is unsettling or foreboding. It adds a sense of mystery or inevitability to your narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "I had a premonition" for trivial or everyday occurrences. Reserve it for situations where the feeling is genuinely strong and significant, otherwise it loses its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I had a premonition" functions as a declarative statement expressing a subjective experience of foreknowledge or intuition. Ludwig examples show the phrase being used to introduce a feeling of unease or anticipation before an event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

1%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I had a premonition" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a strong, intuitive feeling about a future event, often with a sense of foreboding. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts, particularly in news and media, where it adds a narrative element. While versatile, it's best reserved for significant feelings rather than trivial occurrences. Semantically, it is related to "I had a feeling" or "I sensed something", offering writers diverse ways to express similar sentiments. By understanding these nuances, writers can effectively employ "I had a premonition" to enrich their storytelling and convey deeper emotional resonance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I sensed something was going to happen

Focuses on sensing an event without necessarily implying a negative feeling.

I had a foreboding

Stronger negative connotation, emphasizing a sense of impending doom.

I felt something bad was about to occur

Specifically indicates a negative feeling about an impending event.

I felt in my bones

Emphasizes an intuitive, deeply felt sense.

I foresaw an event

Implies a clearer vision or anticipation of a specific event.

I knew something was coming

General sense of anticipation, less specific than a premonition.

I anticipated something

Broader, doesn't necessarily imply a supernatural or intuitive sense.

I suspected something would happen

Based on logic or evidence rather than intuition.

I had a strong feeling

More general, lacks the specific nuance of a premonition.

I had a hunch

More informal and less intense than a premonition.

FAQs

What does "I had a premonition" mean?

The phrase "I had a premonition" suggests that you experienced a strong intuitive feeling or forewarning about something that is going to happen in the future. It often implies a sense of unease or anticipation.

How can I use "I had a premonition" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a feeling you had before an event occurred, for example: "As I approached the old house, "I had a premonition" that something was wrong."

What can I say instead of "I had a premonition"?

You can use alternatives like "I had a feeling", "I sensed something", or "I had a foreboding depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "I had a premonition" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "I had a premonition" is more common in narrative or descriptive writing. In formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "I anticipated" or "I foresaw" for a more objective tone.