a premonition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a premonition" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a strong feeling or intuition about a future event, often something negative or foreboding. Example: "She had a premonition that something bad was going to happen during the trip."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Music

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A premonition of what?

The New York Times - Magazine

It was like a premonition".

The Guardian - Sport

A premonition, he's calling it.

The Guardian - Opinion

A premonition for Sydney's future lockout laws?

The Guardian - Music

The joke was something of a premonition.

The New York Times

The events in Georgia are a premonition.

The New York Times - Magazine

Could he have had a premonition?

The Guardian - Music

"He felt a premonition," she said.

The New Yorker

I think I had a premonition.

The Guardian - Books

Instead it is a premonition of catastrophe.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's a premonition of his own demise.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a premonition" to add depth and foreshadowing to narratives, creating suspense and hinting at future events or character destinies. It is most effective when the feeling is strong and unexplained.

Common error

Avoid using "a premonition" interchangeably with a rational prediction. A premonition is an intuitive feeling, while a prediction is based on analysis and evidence. Using them incorrectly can undermine the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a premonition" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes an intuitive feeling about the future, often associated with negative events. Ludwig AI's analysis indicates that it is a common and accepted expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Books

11%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Music

5%

Arts

4%

Opinion

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a premonition" is a noun phrase used to describe an intuitive feeling about a future event, frequently with a negative connotation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, from news and media to literature. While often linked to negative expectations, it can occasionally describe positive anticipation. Alternatives such as "a foreboding" or "a presentiment" offer similar meanings, each with subtle differences in emphasis. When using "a premonition", distinguish it from rational prediction and use it effectively to add depth and foreshadowing to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a foreboding

Replaces "premonition" with a word that emphasizes a sense of impending doom or misfortune.

a sense of foreboding

Expands on "premonition" to explicitly include the feeling of dread or anxiety.

a presentiment

Substitutes "premonition" with a more formal term for a feeling that something is about to happen.

an intuition

Replaces "premonition" with a general sense of knowing something without proof.

a prophetic feeling

Highlights the predictive aspect of "premonition", suggesting a glimpse into the future.

a feeling in one's bones

Offers an idiomatic expression for a strong, intuitive feeling about something.

a gut feeling

Provides another idiomatic expression suggesting a strong, instinctive sense.

an omen

Replaces "premonition" with a sign or portent of a future event.

a hunch

Offers a more casual alternative suggesting a guess based on intuition.

a nagging feeling

Replaces "premonition" to highlight the persistent and bothersome nature of the feeling.

FAQs

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

You can use "a premonition" to describe a feeling that something, usually bad, is going to happen. For example, "She had "a premonition" that the trip would end in disaster."

What's the difference between "a premonition" and "a presentiment"?

While both words describe a feeling that something is about to happen, ""a premonition"" often implies a darker, more specific sense of impending doom, while "a presentiment" can be more general.

What can I say instead of "a premonition"?

You can use alternatives like "a foreboding", "a presentiment", or "an intuition" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I had a premonition of success"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. While ""a premonition"" often carries a negative connotation, it can also be used to describe a strong feeling about a positive future outcome, though it is less common.