a premonition of disaster

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a premonition of disaster" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a feeling or intuition that something bad is going to happen. Example: "As the storm clouds gathered, she felt a premonition of disaster looming over the event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Her mother had a premonition of disaster, and vowed never to sleep on board – so she sat up fully clothed every night and was ready to meet disaster when it struck.

The Guardian - Books

Kristen Cloke, Seann William Scott, Tony Todd Directed by James Wong R -- 110 minutes Rustling curtains and lightning streaks signal a hex on the Mount Abraham High School senior trip to Paris, but it takes a premonition of disaster to make Alex Browning (Mr. Sawa) rear out of his seat and frantically want off the plane shortly before takeoff.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Instead it is a premonition of catastrophe.

The Guardian - Opinion

Down in the boiler room of the museum, the creaks and clamour of Stephen Vitiello's "World Trade Center Recordings: Winds after Hurricane Floyd" from 1999 are a horrifying premonition of disaster.

The Economist

R. Final Destination About to take off with his classmates on a senior trip to Paris, Alex Browning (Devon Sawa) has a strong enough premonition of disaster to rear up from his seat and demand to be taken off the plane, which explodes on takeoff.

The New York Times

He died on Christmas Eve , 1935 leaving the unfinished "Lulu" as a premonition of future catastrophe.

The New Yorker

His information was erroneous, but Juan Miguel had a premonition of the tragedy.

The New York Times

JUNE 15, 1904, dawned a beautiful spring day without the slightest premonition of disaster.

The New York Times

J. Cook), whose premonition of disaster has recently saved her and a diverse group of strangers (including a pregnant woman, a drug addict, a black guy, a teenager and his mom) from a horrendous pileup (or, as a local news anchor pronounces it, polyp) on the interstate.

The New York Times

Milton Smith, an assistant engineer who decided at the last moment not to join his crew on premonition of disaster, aided in identifying any bodies that were found.

Wikipedia

A premonition of what?

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a premonition of disaster" to add a sense of foreboding or dramatic irony to your writing, especially when describing characters' feelings or foreshadowing events. This phrase is effective in both fiction and descriptive nonfiction.

Common error

Avoid using "a premonition of disaster" in casual conversation or mundane scenarios. This phrase carries a heavy weight and is best reserved for situations where the stakes are genuinely high, or the tone is intentionally dramatic. Otherwise, the phrase may sound exaggerated or out of place.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a premonition of disaster" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb (e.g., 'have a premonition') or as a descriptive element, indicating an intuitive feeling or foresight. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a premonition of disaster" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to express a feeling or intuition that something bad is going to happen. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a usable phrase in written English. While not overly common, it appears primarily in news and media contexts to add suspense or foreshadow negative events. More common alternatives include "a feeling of impending doom" or "an omen of catastrophe". When using the phrase, it's best to reserve it for situations where the stakes are genuinely high to avoid sounding exaggerated.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a feeling of impending doom

This alternative replaces the specific sense of foresight with a more general feeling of something bad about to happen.

an omen of catastrophe

This phrase uses "omen" to suggest a sign that indicates a future catastrophe, emphasizing the predictive aspect.

a presentiment of calamity

This alternative uses more formal language to convey a feeling that a calamity is about to occur.

a foreboding of tragedy

This phrase focuses on a sense of impending tragedy, highlighting the negative emotional impact.

an intuition of misfortune

This option emphasizes the intuitive sense that something unfortunate will happen.

a sense of approaching doom

This conveys a feeling of inevitable and negative finality.

a pre-existing feeling of negativity

This is more general feeling is that of a general sense of unease.

an inkling of misfortune

This alternative suggests a slight or vague feeling that something bad is likely to occur.

a harbinger of destruction

This phrase evokes a sign that foreshadows widespread destruction.

a foreshadowing of ruin

This option suggests events or signs that hint at future ruin or collapse.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a premonition of disaster" in a sentence?

Incorporate "a premonition of disaster" to foreshadow negative events or highlight a character's sense of impending doom. For example, "As the ship set sail, she had "a premonition of disaster", a chilling sense that they would never return."

What phrases can I use instead of "a premonition of disaster" to convey a similar meaning?

Alternatives include "a feeling of impending doom", "an omen of catastrophe", or "a foreboding of tragedy", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a premonition of disaster" in formal writing?

Yes, "a premonition of disaster" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly in narrative or descriptive contexts where you aim to create a sense of suspense or foreshadowing. However, ensure it aligns with the overall tone and subject matter of your piece.

What's the difference between "a premonition of disaster" and "a sense of unease"?

"A premonition of disaster" specifically implies a foresight or intuitive feeling that something catastrophic is about to happen, while "a sense of unease" is a more general feeling of discomfort or anxiety without a specific predicted event.