a sense of conscience

USAGE SUMMARY

"a sense of conscience" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It refers to the feeling or inner voice that guides a person to do what is morally right or wrong. Example: "She couldn't help but feel a sense of conscience nagging at her as she walked past the homeless man without offering any help."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

That should be opposed by any human being with a sense of conscience.

The New York Times

It led to group-wide morality and a sense of conscience and honor.

The New York Times

Another, apparently from a stranger, said, "I want to thank you for having served the country with a sense of conscience and competence".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Stewart, 19 at the time of the murder, had a deep-seated personality disorder that "deprived him of all sense of conscience," the report found.

The Guardian

"It would be very selfish," she said, "if we were to look back at soul music without a sense of social conscience".

The New York Times - Arts

The latter might elicit compliance, but not a sense of moral conscience.

SEP

McBride wasn't the only winner to write out of a sense of social conscience; George Packer, who took the nonfiction prize for "The Unwinding: An Inner History of the New America," reports on the dislocation of an America that will never set foot inside a place such as Cipriani, an America of economic uncertainty and decline.

Los Angeles Times

But it wasn't long – Pitch Black and xXx were both in 2000, The Fast and the Furious the next year – before his aptitude as mysterious, ripped anti-heroes with a strong sense of conscience and a nice drawling delivery meant his move into Brando territory had to be put on hold.

The Guardian - Film

Despite their contrasts, which were occasionally played for laughs, both heroes were united by a keen sense of conscience.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Generally speaking, the immigration agency says the traits that constitute membership in a particular social group must be ones that a person cannot change, or should not have to change because they are fundamental to a sense of identity or conscience.

The New York Times

A sense of duty or conscience is thus for Hume absolutely essential to understanding the virtue and obligation of justice/honesty.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a sense of conscience" to emphasize an internal moral compass that guides actions and decisions, particularly when discussing ethical dilemmas or personal integrity.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "a sense of conscience" with terms denoting a lack of moral awareness, such as 'lack of remorse' or 'absence of empathy'. The presence of a conscience implies moral consideration, while its absence suggests a disregard for ethical implications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sense of conscience" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. It describes an individual's internal moral awareness and the feeling that guides their actions, as supported by the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sense of conscience" is a noun phrase denoting an individual's moral awareness, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to describe an internal moral compass that guides actions, particularly in situations involving ethical considerations. While grammatically correct, its frequency is uncommon. It appears in various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. When using the phrase, consider the potential for confusion with related concepts like 'absence of empathy' and ensure clarity in your writing. Alternatives such as "a moral compass" or "a strong moral sense" may offer more specific connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a moral compass

Focuses on the guiding aspect of morality, similar to conscience but emphasizes direction.

a feeling of ethical responsibility

Highlights the obligation aspect, differing from the inherent awareness implied by conscience.

a strong moral sense

Emphasizes the strength of one's moral judgment, slightly amplifying the concept of conscience.

an inner voice

Refers to the intuitive guidance, similar to conscience but less specific about morality.

a pang of guilt

Focuses on the negative feeling associated with violating one's conscience.

moral scruples

Highlights the hesitation to act against one's moral principles, a facet of conscience.

a sense of moral obligation

Stresses the duty-bound aspect of conscience, adding a layer of responsibility.

a code of ethics

Refers to a defined set of principles, unlike the more intrinsic nature of conscience.

a concern for morality

Emphasizes worry aspect regarding moral correctness, a more general take on conscience.

a value system

Focuses on the underlying beliefs that inform conscience, but is broader in scope.

FAQs

How can I use "a sense of conscience" in a sentence?

You can use "a sense of conscience" to describe someone's moral awareness or the feeling that guides their actions, for example: "Despite the potential rewards, she couldn't ignore her "a sense of conscience" and refused to participate in the unethical scheme."

What's the difference between "a sense of conscience" and "a moral compass"?

"A sense of conscience" refers to the internal awareness of right and wrong, while "a moral compass" implies a guiding principle or set of values that directs one's behavior. They are similar, but a moral compass is a more active guiding force.

Which is correct: "a sense of conscience" or "a sense of conscious"?

"A sense of conscience" is the correct phrase, referring to moral awareness. "A sense of conscious" is not a standard English phrase and doesn't have a clear meaning.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "a sense of conscience"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a strong moral sense", "ethical responsibility", or "an inner voice" to convey a similar meaning.