a prevailing sentiment

USAGE SUMMARY

"a prevailing sentiment" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to a feeling that is shared by a group of people. For example, "Within our company, there is a prevailing sentiment of satisfaction with the new benefits package."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

This was the prevailing sentiment at the arena Saturday, though hardly a prevailing sentiment over all.

The New York Times - Sports

"I will love whatever my kids love," Lori Fedoruk said, expressing a prevailing sentiment among parents.

The New York Times - Sports

While the poll reflects a prevailing sentiment among Mr. Romney's advisers that he must find a way to change the dynamics of the race, the findings also highlight a lingering discontent running through the electorate.

The New York Times

"There's a prevailing sentiment among many of the chains, which is very, very unfortunate, that receiving consumer fines may be simply a cost of doing business," Mr. Gulotta said.

The New York Times

The exhibition settles into a prevailing sentiment that the ways art is created on the continent or by recent emigrates deserve attention.

Vice

This may no longer be a prevailing sentiment in society, but like the far-from-routine events that took Samantha Elauf to the Supreme Court, sometimes thinking and doing things a little differently is exactly the right way to go.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

With just 12.5% of UK board positions currently held by women, and a strong prevailing sentiment against positive discrimination, a Brussels-imposed gender quota could cause a backlash similar to the one that has greeted prisoners' votes.

The Guardian

And while the results seems to reflect a larger, prevailing sentiment against Arizona's new law (which would give police incredible leeway to crack down on suspected illegal immigrants) it also provides a telling illustration of the Twitter community itself.

Huffington Post

Through a combination of that prevailing sentiment and the knowledge I'd gained through learning about self-checks, I knew right away that this was something I had to address.

Huffington Post

Bruce O. Riedel, an influential former C.I.A. officer who led a 2009 policy review for President Obama on Pakistan and Afghanistan, captured the prevailing sentiment in an Op-Ed in The Times, in which he called for a new policy of "containment," meaning "a more hostile relationship" toward the army and intelligence services.

The New York Times - Magazine

And, generally, one can expect the current prevailing sentiment about a coach's performance — whatever that sentiment might be — to have all the staying power of rent money.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a prevailing sentiment", ensure it accurately reflects the general feeling of the group you are describing. Avoid using it when describing minority opinions.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "a prevailing sentiment" exists without sufficient evidence. Base your claims on observations or data, not personal biases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a prevailing sentiment" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a widespread feeling, opinion, or attitude within a specific group or society. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a prevailing sentiment" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a widespread feeling or opinion within a group. Ludwig AI validates its use across various contexts, particularly in news and media, science, and wiki sources. While it is generally suitable for both formal and informal writing, it is important to ensure that the sentiment accurately reflects the group's overall perspective and is not based on assumptions or personal biases. Alternatives like "a widespread opinion" or "a common belief" can be used to convey similar ideas with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the general consensus

Similar to "consensus view" but slightly less formal.

a widespread opinion

Focuses on the breadth of the opinion rather than the feeling associated with it.

a common belief

Emphasizes the cognitive aspect of the shared idea.

a shared understanding

Emphasizes the collective comprehension of a concept or situation.

a general feeling

Highlights the emotional aspect of the shared experience.

a dominant view

Suggests that the opinion is held by a majority and influences decisions.

the consensus view

Implies agreement after discussion or deliberation.

the popular wisdom

Refers to widely accepted beliefs that may or may not be based on evidence.

the tenor of the times

Broader term referring to the general mood and trends of a period.

the spirit of the age

A more philosophical term for the defining characteristics of an era.

FAQs

How can I use "a prevailing sentiment" in a sentence?

You can use "a prevailing sentiment" to describe a widespread feeling or opinion within a group. For example, "there was a prevailing sentiment that the project would be successful".

What are some alternatives to "a prevailing sentiment"?

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

Is "a prevailing sentiment" formal or informal?

"A prevailing sentiment" is generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it is more commonly found in news, academic, and professional writing.

What is the difference between "a prevailing sentiment" and "public opinion"?

"A prevailing sentiment" usually refers to a specific feeling or opinion within a smaller group, while "public opinion" refers to the views of the general population.