a growing sense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a growing sense" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an increasing feeling or awareness about something over time. Example: "There is a growing sense of urgency among the team to meet the project deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

There's a growing sense of anger.

Independent

There's a growing sense of social justice.

The New York Times

There was a growing sense of hubris.

The Guardian - Tech

It was more a growing sense of comfort.

The New York Times

A growing sense of religious identity also boosts Islamic style.

The Economist

What we have is a growing sense of intellectual nihilism.

The New York Times - Books

The first is a growing sense of urgency.

The New York Times

Massive!" Now he felt a growing sense of dread.

The New York Times

Mr. Brennan said the various forms of identification created "a growing sense of confidence and a growing sense of accomplishment".

The New York Times

Otherwise, what surprised me was a growing sense of space.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

These days, there is a growing sense of urgency.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a growing sense" to describe the gradual development of an awareness, feeling, or understanding, particularly when emphasizing the process of formation over time. For example, "There's a growing sense that the company needs to adapt to new technologies."

Common error

Avoid using "a growing sense" as a direct cause for an event. It often reflects an underlying condition or perception, rather than acting as the primary driver. For example, avoid saying "A growing sense of unease caused the market crash"; instead, focus on specific factors that led to that sense of unease.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a growing sense" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes an evolving perception or awareness, as confirmed by Ludwig with numerous examples. It is used to express the development of a particular feeling or understanding over time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a growing sense" is a versatile noun phrase used to describe the gradual development of an awareness, feeling, or understanding. As indicated by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and very commonly used across various contexts, especially in news and media. When using this phrase, remember to focus on the process of formation and avoid attributing it as a direct cause. Consider alternatives like "an increasing awareness" or "a rising feeling" to fine-tune the specific nuance you wish to convey. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for both professional and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an increasing awareness

Focuses on the cognitive aspect of becoming more informed or conscious about something; uses different wording while retaining the core meaning.

a rising feeling

Emphasizes the emotional aspect, suggesting a feeling that is intensifying. Changes 'sense' to 'feeling'.

a developing perception

Highlights how a particular viewpoint is forming gradually. Substitutes 'sense' with 'perception'.

an emerging understanding

Stresses the development of comprehension over time. Replaces 'sense' with 'understanding'.

an escalating concern

Conveys an increasing level of worry or anxiety. Specific to feelings of concern.

a building anticipation

Describes a feeling of expectation that is steadily increasing. Focuses specifically on anticipation.

a deepening appreciation

Implies a gradual increase in valuing or recognizing something. Highlights enhanced value or recognition.

a burgeoning recognition

Emphasizes the rapid growth of acknowledgement or awareness. More formal and emphasizes rapid growth.

a quickening realization

Suggests a faster rate of understanding or awareness. Focuses on the speed of awareness.

an intensifying sentiment

Highlights a gradual augmentation of feeling or opinion. Changes 'sense' to 'sentiment'.

FAQs

How can I use "a growing sense" in a sentence?

Use "a growing sense" to describe the gradual development of an awareness, feeling, or understanding. For example: "There is "a growing sense of urgency" to address climate change."

What are some alternatives to "a growing sense"?

You can use alternatives like "an increasing awareness", "a rising feeling", or "a developing perception" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a growing sense" or "an increasing sense"?

Both "a growing sense" and "an increasing sense" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey, but "a growing sense" is more common.

What's the difference between "a growing sense" and "a feeling of growth"?

"A growing sense" refers to an increasing awareness or understanding of something, while "a feeling of growth" typically refers to a personal experience of development or progress. They are not interchangeable.