a feeling of foreboding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a feeling of foreboding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an emotional state where someone senses that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen. Example: "As she walked through the darkened hallway, a feeling of foreboding washed over her, making her hesitate before continuing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

He said that "there is always a feeling of foreboding and failure at the end of all exchange-rate arrangements," but that European economies are largely strong.

The New York Times

Bradbury, who voted to remain in the EU, said many people in the town were already regretting voting to leave and claimed there was a feeling of foreboding as increasing numbers of businesses used similar tactics to hike up prices.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Like Anna Karenina with her railway-themed dreams, those cows are giving him a strange feeling of foreboding.

The Guardian - Film

The best of his stories arouse a feeling of deep foreboding.

The New York Times - Books

"With a feeling of ominous foreboding based on the cliffhanger ending of the last book," Mr. Barry begins "Fangs of Endearment," a wall-to-wall riotous parody.

The New York Times - Books

"Like the United States, the country is struggling from the recession, times are hard, and there was a genuine feeling of foreboding about the Olympics from a long way out.

Huffington Post

Nairobi seems to be in the swell of another crime wave and though the police say they are cracking down (which often means simply shooting suspects on sight), a general feeling of foreboding seems to be spreading.

The New York Times

Now, there is a growing feeling of foreboding, even panic, seen in Friday's stunning 9.6percentt drop by the benchmark Nikkei 225 stock average — just two days after the index fell 9.4percentt.

The New York Times

Asked if he fears for his safety should the paramilitary interviews be released, McIntyre says, "There's nothing specific, but one has a general feeling of foreboding of this process, that's there's not going to be a good end-result.

Vice

You may have a general feeling of foreboding, like something bad is going to happen.

WikiHow

"Still no obvious symptoms that perforation is imminent, but an oppressive feeling of foreboding hangs over me… This is it… I have to think through the only possible way out - to operate on myself… It's almost impossible… but I can't just fold my arms and give up".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a feeling of foreboding" to effectively create suspense or foreshadow negative events in narratives. It adds depth to the emotional landscape of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a feeling of foreboding" in everyday, trivial situations. This phrase is best reserved for scenarios where the anticipated negative outcome is significant, otherwise, it can sound melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "a feeling of foreboding" is to act as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. For example, in the sentence, "There is a growing feeling of foreboding, even panic", the phrase acts as the subject complement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a feeling of foreboding" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase that effectively communicates a sense of impending negativity or unease. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While versatile across various contexts, including news and media, it's best employed when foreshadowing significant negative outcomes to avoid sounding melodramatic. For more intense descriptions, consider alternatives like "a sense of impending doom". The phrase's communicative purpose is to instill suspense and prepare the audience for potential misfortune, making it a valuable tool in narrative writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a sense of impending doom

Focuses more intensely on the negativity and certainty of the anticipated event.

a premonition of disaster

Suggests a supernatural or intuitive sense of a coming catastrophe.

an ominous presentiment

Uses more formal language to convey a sense of foreboding.

a creeping unease

Emphasizes the gradual and subtle nature of the developing anxiety.

a growing apprehension

Highlights the increasing intensity of the anxious feeling.

a heavy heart

Describes a feeling of sadness and worry about the future.

an inkling of trouble

Suggests a vague and uncertain sense that something is amiss.

a knot in one's stomach

Focuses on the physical sensation of anxiety and worry.

a sense of disquiet

Implies a general feeling of unease and restlessness.

butterflies in the stomach

Highlights physical anxiety about an unwanted event or unwanted news.

FAQs

How can I use "a feeling of foreboding" in a sentence?

You can use "a feeling of foreboding" to describe a sense that something bad is about to happen. For example, "As the storm clouds gathered, a feeling of foreboding settled over the village."

What's a more intense way to describe "a feeling of foreboding"?

For a more intense description, consider using phrases like "a sense of impending doom" or "a premonition of disaster", which convey a stronger sense of negative certainty.

Is "a feeling of foreboding" formal or informal?

"A feeling of foreboding" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, making it versatile for various writing styles. However, more formal alternatives like "an ominous presentiment" might be preferred in academic or professional settings.

What is the difference between "a feeling of foreboding" and "a feeling of anxiety"?

"A feeling of anxiety" is a general sense of worry or unease, while "a feeling of foreboding" specifically implies an anticipation that something negative or unpleasant is going to occur. Foreboding carries a stronger sense of impending doom.