a premonition of doom

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

What she's seeing is miraculous and beautiful, but it's also a premonition of doom.

The New York Times - Science

In this futuristic dystopia, Wells craftily spells out a premonition of doom for the human race and the Earth itself while critiquing various social practices and beliefs held by the upper echelon of British society.

Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

But in this instance, as it will soon transpire, my foreboding will be a genuine premonition of doom.

The Guardian - Travel

I did not enjoy the premonition of doom in my father's world.

The New York Times - Magazine

"This will never be anything but the world's biggest, strangest non sequitur," he tells the reader about the prospect of revealing his premonition of doom to the people he loves.

The New York Times - Books

A premonition of what?

The New York Times - Magazine

Instead it is a premonition of catastrophe.

The Guardian - Opinion

A premonition of an attack on Iran.

The New York Times - Magazine

The initial reviews were rapturous, a premonition of success.

The New Yorker

It looks increasingly like a premonition of Brexit.

The Guardian - Arts

"It was a premonition of things to come," Dinos joked.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a premonition of doom" to create a sense of suspense or foreshadowing in your writing. This phrase effectively conveys a strong feeling that something terrible is about to happen.

Common error

Avoid using "a premonition of doom" too frequently, as it can lose its impact and sound melodramatic. Use it sparingly to maintain its effectiveness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a premonition of doom" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. As Ludwig AI suggests, it describes a specific type of feeling or intuition.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a premonition of doom" effectively conveys a strong feeling of impending disaster. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and illustrates its usage in various contexts, particularly news and media. While generally neutral in register, its dramatic tone suggests careful usage to avoid sounding melodramatic. Related phrases offer alternatives for varying degrees of intensity. This analysis aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the phrase's nuances and appropriate application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a sense of impending disaster

Focuses more on the feeling of disaster rather than the prediction aspect.

a foreboding feeling

Emphasizes the feeling of something bad is coming, less specific than doom.

an omen of misfortune

Highlights the sign or indication of future bad luck or suffering.

a presentiment of catastrophe

Uses a more formal word ('presentiment') and specifies 'catastrophe' for a larger scale disaster.

a looming threat

Focuses on the threatening aspect and immediacy of the danger.

a shadow of things to come

Suggests that current events hint at future problems or disasters.

a harbinger of destruction

Emphasizes the destructive nature of the impending event.

a dark cloud on the horizon

Uses a metaphorical image to represent impending trouble.

a sign of approaching calamity

Highlights the signal or warning of a disastrous event.

an anticipation of tragedy

Emphasizes the anticipation and sadness associated with an upcoming tragedy.

FAQs

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

You can use "a premonition of doom" to describe a feeling that something terrible is about to happen. For example, "As the dark clouds gathered, she felt "a premonition of doom" wash over her."

What phrases are similar to "a premonition of doom"?

Alternatives include "a sense of impending disaster", "a foreboding feeling", or "an omen of misfortune".

Is "a premonition of doom" too dramatic for formal writing?

While generally suitable, consider the tone of your writing. In very formal or technical contexts, a more neutral phrase like "an expectation of negative consequences" might be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "a premonition of doom" and "a feeling of dread"?

"A feeling of dread" describes a general sense of unease or fear, while "a premonition of doom" specifically suggests an intuitive sense that something catastrophic is about to occur.