a heightened perception

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a heightened perception" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an increased awareness or sensitivity to stimuli, emotions, or situations. Example: "After years of meditation, she developed a heightened perception of her surroundings, noticing details others often overlooked."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Donna Emnett, a junior high school teacher in St . Louis said age brings a heightened perception of flaws.

The New York Times

Rather, our research reveals a heightened perception among whites that they are increasingly the primary victims of bias in America — a perception that statistics say is wrong.

The Washington Post

The global increases are a reflection of rising wealth and a corresponding ability to buy discretionary items — along with a heightened perception of sports brands as status symbols, NPD says.

The New York Times

Objectives: For acutely ill children living in less than optimal environments, mothers and pediatricians may have a heightened perception of illness severity, a lower specificity of clinical judgments, and a tendency to over-utilize resources.

The Journal of Pediatrics

However, its precautionary measure is indicative of a heightened perception of risk among Western companies in Algeria among which French firms predominate.Since the relaunch of the Groupe salafiste pour la prédication et le combat (GSPC) as a regional franchise of al-Qaida last year the main targets of its attacks have been the Algerian government and security forces.

The Economist

The results in this study show a heightened perception of crime that is both proximal and distal.

Security Informatics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Introducing race and sex into a genre in which they have always been understood to be excluded - showing what's underneath social and cinematic convention - creates a giddy heightened perception, like a drug.

The Guardian

They found a disconnection between measured and perceived tree mortality and impacts across their four study communities with an overall heightened perception of impact.

Environmental Management

Even Yunior's "cold, hard scalp" becomes an unexpected instrument of heightened perception, a means of communing with the strange and the new.

The New York Times - Books

At the heart of the Symbolist theatre was the old romantic concept of the artist as a creative genius with heightened perception and powers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Cage's archetypal "4'33" " is the prototype, the primordial piece of Minimalist conceptual art in which the performer is directed to do nothing at all for that length of time, thereby encouraging a sympathetic audience to heightened perception.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a heightened perception" to describe improvements in sensory awareness or cognitive understanding resulting from specific experiences or conditions.

Common error

Avoid using "high" instead of "heightened". "High perception" typically refers to an elevated or exaggerated view, whereas "a heightened perception" means an increased or enhanced ability to perceive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a heightened perception" functions as a noun phrase, where "heightened" modifies the noun "perception". It describes the state of having an increased or enhanced ability to perceive something, supported by Ludwig examples illustrating its use across various domains.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

50%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a heightened perception" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe an increased or enhanced ability to perceive or understand something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and utility across diverse contexts, including news, science, and general writing. The phrase denotes an amplified awareness, sensitivity, or insight, often resulting from specific conditions or experiences. While alternatives like "an enhanced awareness" or "an increased sensitivity" exist, "a heightened perception" remains a precise and effective choice. Avoid confusing "heightened" with "high", as they carry different connotations. Use the phrase thoughtfully to convey a genuine increase in perceptive ability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an enhanced awareness

Replaces 'heightened perception' with a focus on increased conscious knowledge or understanding.

an increased sensitivity

Emphasizes a greater responsiveness to external stimuli or emotional cues.

a sharper insight

Highlights the ability to understand complex situations more clearly.

an amplified awareness

Suggests that the awareness is more intense.

a refined understanding

Highlights a more subtle and nuanced comprehension.

a keener observation

Focuses on the act of noticing details with greater precision.

an acute sense

Implies a particularly sharp and perceptive ability.

a developed intuition

Suggests an improved ability to understand something instinctively, without conscious reasoning.

a more profound grasp

Indicates a deeper and more thorough comprehension.

a superior discernment

Indicates exceptional ability to make fine distinctions and judgments.

FAQs

How can I use "a heightened perception" in a sentence?

You can use "a heightened perception" to describe an increased or enhanced ability to perceive things, such as "After the meditation retreat, she experienced "a heightened perception" of her surroundings".

What are some alternatives to "a heightened perception"?

Some alternatives to "a heightened perception" include "an enhanced awareness", "an increased sensitivity", or "a sharper insight", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "high perception" instead of "a heightened perception"?

While "high perception" might be understood, it's not standard usage. "A heightened perception" is the more common and grammatically appropriate way to express an increased ability to perceive.

What's the difference between "a heightened perception" and "a higher perception"?

"A heightened perception" refers to an increase in the intensity or clarity of perception, whereas "a higher perception" might imply a more advanced or sophisticated understanding. They are not interchangeable in most contexts.