a prevailing emotion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a prevailing emotion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the dominant or most common feeling in a particular situation or context. Example: "In the aftermath of the tragedy, a prevailing emotion of sadness swept through the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Instead, the prevailing emotion is a leftover bitterness from the war, combined with the persistent image of an insufficiently repentant Japan.

The New York Times

While in my cases our relationships endured – largely because the failure wasn't for lack of execution and empathy was the prevailing emotion – money can have a way of ruining friendships and straining family bonds, sometimes to extreme levels.

TechCrunch

7. The bottom is a scary place When the market crashes, the prevailing emotion swings from greed to fear.

Huffington Post

Relief might have been City's prevailing emotion on reaching the break only a goal behind until they stole an equaliser right on half-time: De Bruyne fed Silva and the Spaniard gave Sommer no chance.

The Guardian - Sport

Unrequited love is the prevailing emotion: Walter, the manager, eventually harbors a desire for Rosemary, and despite the somewhat clichéd warnings of Pearl, the transsexual, Rosemary sets her sights on Oscar, her fellow clerk, fascinated by his asexual and seemingly unreachable nature.

The New York Times - Books

His prevailing emotion, though, is pride.

The Guardian - Film

But for ordinary Italians, the prevailing emotion is more bafflement than anxiety.

The New York Times

Relief is the prevailing emotion; the irrational exuberance of two or three years ago feels very far away.

The New York Times - Arts

But take heart; your prevailing emotion should be grim exhilaration, not despair.

The New York Times - Tech

It left the Giants 0-4 this month, and while that left them mildly disappointed, the prevailing emotion seemed to be relief that the preseason was over.

The New York Times - Sports

In Egypt, though, the prevailing emotion is anger over the police riot squads who did so little to intervene as the crowd turned murderous.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a prevailing emotion", ensure the context clearly indicates the situation or group experiencing the emotion. Specificity enhances clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a prevailing emotion" without sufficient context, as this can lead to vagueness. Always provide enough information to specify who is experiencing the emotion and why.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a prevailing emotion" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the dominant or most noticeable emotion in a particular situation or among a group of people. It is used to describe the overall emotional tone or atmosphere.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a prevailing emotion" is a noun phrase used to describe the dominant feeling in a specific context. While Ludwig's AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable, it also reveals that examples are currently missing. Alternatives include "a dominant emotion" or "a common sentiment". When using this phrase, clarity and context are crucial to avoid vagueness. The phrase is suitable for professional writing, news reporting, and academic analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a dominant emotion

Replaces "prevailing" with "dominant", emphasizing the controlling or most influential emotion.

the main feeling

Simple substitution that focuses on the key feeling experienced.

a widespread feeling

Shifts the focus to how commonly the emotion is felt, rather than its intensity or control.

a common sentiment

Substitutes "emotion" with "sentiment", suggesting a more thoughtful or reasoned feeling.

the popular emotion

Focuses on the emotion felt by many.

the overriding sentiment

Emphasizes that the sentiment is more important than other considerations.

the atmosphere of feeling

More elaborate change that focus on the general mood.

the current emotional state

Focuses on the emotion that is felt now or that is the most up-to-date.

the chief mood

Expresses the dominant mood.

the general mood

This expresses the emotional state of a group or in a place.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a prevailing emotion" in a sentence?

To effectively use "a prevailing emotion", ensure you clearly specify the context or situation in which the emotion is dominant. For example, "After the storm, a prevailing emotion of relief swept through the town" clearly indicates the situation and the feeling.

What are some alternatives to "a prevailing emotion" that I can use?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a dominant emotion", "a widespread feeling", or "a common sentiment" to express similar ideas.

In what situations is it most appropriate to use the phrase "a prevailing emotion"?

The phrase "a prevailing emotion" is best used when describing a shared or widespread feeling within a group or during a specific event. It's suitable for news reports, descriptive writing, and analytical contexts.

Is "a prevailing emotion" formal or informal language?

"A prevailing emotion" is generally considered neutral to formal. While understandable in most contexts, it's particularly suitable for professional writing, news reporting, and academic analysis, as opposed to casual conversation.