a pervasive sense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a pervasive sense" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a feeling or perception that is widespread or deeply ingrained in a particular context or situation. Example: "In the aftermath of the crisis, there was a pervasive sense of uncertainty among the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There was a pervasive sense of defeat.

The New Yorker

A pervasive sense of calm descends.

Stanford University

The workers expressed a pervasive sense of discrimination.

Cornell University

Among the troubles facing the market is a pervasive sense that houses are a bad bet.

The New York Times

Finally, generalized anxiety disorder involves a pervasive sense of worry accompanied by other symptoms of anxiety.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There was also a pervasive sense of satisfaction over a smooth logistical success amid unprecedented security.

The New York Times - Sports

The board's silence, however, has contributed to a pervasive sense that something else is going on.

The Washington Post

The staff members and the patients share a pervasive sense of dread.

The New York Times

Sympathetic western opinion has been dulled by a pervasive sense of hopelessness.

The Guardian

There is a pervasive sense of sadness about this almost surreal day.

The New York Times

There was always a pervasive sense of violence, an awareness of limits.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a pervasive sense", ensure the feeling or perception you're describing is genuinely widespread and not just your personal opinion. Support your statement with evidence or context that demonstrates its pervasiveness.

Common error

Avoid using "a pervasive sense" to describe localized or niche feelings. This phrase implies broad acceptance or prevalence, so be sure your usage accurately reflects the scale of the sentiment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a pervasive sense" functions as a noun phrase that modifies another noun, often expressing a widespread emotion or perception. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in describing ubiquitous feelings, aligning with its role in adding depth to descriptions. For example, "There was a pervasive sense of defeat" or "a pervasive sense of entitlement."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a pervasive sense" is a frequently used phrase to describe a widespread feeling or awareness, suitable for diverse contexts from news to academic writing. Ludwig AI's analysis of numerous examples shows that it is grammatically correct and its meaning is clear. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a widely held sentiment and avoid overgeneralization. Consider alternatives like "a widespread feeling" or "a general awareness" to fine-tune the specific nuance. The phrase appears most commonly in News & Media, Academia, and Encyclopedias.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a widespread feeling

Replaces "sense" with "feeling", emphasizing the emotional aspect and using "widespread" instead of "pervasive" to indicate broad reach.

a general awareness

Substitutes "sense" with "awareness", focusing on understanding and knowledge, and uses "general" to convey broadness.

a common perception

Replaces "sense" with "perception", highlighting how something is interpreted, and uses "common" to suggest shared understanding.

a prevailing sentiment

Emphasizes the emotional tone by using "sentiment" instead of "sense", and "prevailing" to indicate current dominance.

a widespread sentiment

Similar to "a prevailing sentiment" but focuses more on a broadly shared emotional opinion.

a dominant impression

Focuses on the impact something has, using "impression" to replace "sense" and "dominant" to show its strength.

a universal feeling

Highlights the broad reach with "universal" emphasizing that almost everyone experiences the feeling.

a collective understanding

Emphasizes the shared nature of the understanding, making it a group perception rather than an individual sense.

a broad consciousness

Focuses on awareness at a larger scale.

an overall vibe

Shifts to a more informal tone and focuses on a general atmosphere or feeling.

FAQs

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

You can use "a pervasive sense" to describe a feeling or perception that is widespread. For example, "There was "a pervasive sense of unease" after the announcement".

What are some alternatives to "a pervasive sense"?

Alternatives include "a widespread feeling", "a general awareness", or "a common perception", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a pervasive sense of" something?

Yes, it's grammatically correct. The phrase "a pervasive sense" is typically followed by "of" and then the specific feeling, emotion, or understanding that is widespread.

What's the difference between "a pervasive sense" and "a general feeling"?

"A pervasive sense" suggests a more deeply ingrained and widely recognized sentiment, while "a general feeling" is broader and can encompass less defined or less widely held emotions.