a small sense of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small sense of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a small feeling, understanding, or awareness that someone holds. For example, "She had a small sense of dread as she walked into the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

At Newsweek, there was a small sense of being No. 2, so people expanded their creativity.

The New Yorker

And, in the midst of her sadness, that laugh conveyed a small sense of relief.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

When it became clear that his team was out of the running, he felt a small sense of relief.

The New Yorker

Listen, part of why I admire her is because I have a small sense of what she's endured.

The Guardian

Just euphoria - and a small sense of satisfaction - that Athena and I have come a long way, together.

The Guardian - Travel

There is a quiet pride in his tone, a small sense of hard-won satisfaction in his smile.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

And with those lines on the map came a smaller sense of self.

The New York Times

Ireland remains a society with a deeply small sense of self.

The Guardian

So while right now I'm trying to decide how to decorate the cardboard box I might end up living in, there's also a small sense of... unfamiliar relief?

Huffington Post

A handful of I.R.S. employees saw this and tried, in a small way, to impose some small sense of order.

The New Yorker

"There's going to be a repetition and a redundancy night after night, but it's the small variations in those moments — a word, a tone of voice, the smallest sense of enlightenment that can happen in an instant onstage — that will be the most rewarding".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a small sense of" to convey a subtle or limited feeling, understanding, or awareness. This phrase is particularly useful when describing an emotion or perception that is not strong or fully developed. For example: "He had a small sense of unease about the situation."

Common error

Avoid using "a small sense of" when describing strong emotions or clear understandings. If the feeling is intense or the understanding is complete, opt for stronger language such as "a strong feeling of" or "a clear understanding of". For example, instead of "She had a small sense of fear", use "She was terrified".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small sense of" functions as a qualifier or modifier, adding detail to the noun it precedes. It describes the extent or degree of a feeling, awareness, or understanding. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Huffington Post

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a small sense of" is a versatile expression used to convey a subtle or limited feeling, awareness, or understanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely accepted in written English. With a neutral register, it fits seamlessly into various contexts, particularly news and media. While alternatives exist, "a small sense of" accurately describes experiences that are not fully developed or overwhelming. When writing, remember to consider the intensity of the emotion or perception you wish to convey and avoid using "a small sense of" when a stronger expression is more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight feeling of

Replaces "sense" with "feeling", focusing on the emotional aspect; "slight" maintains the minor degree.

a faint notion of

Substitutes "sense" with "notion", suggesting a vague or uncertain awareness.

a mild awareness of

Emphasizes cognizance, using "awareness" instead of "sense"; "mild" signifies low intensity.

a limited understanding of

Focuses on comprehension, swapping "sense" for "understanding", and "limited" maintains the idea of being curtailed.

a trace of

Offers a more subtle expression, implying a very minimal presence of something.

a hint of

Suggests an indirect or subtle indication.

a touch of

Implies a delicate or subtle presence.

a tinge of

Suggests a slight degree of something, often with a negative connotation.

a glimmer of

Suggests a fleeting or weak indication.

a shadow of

Implies a faint or diminished presence.

FAQs

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

Use "a small sense of" to express a subtle or limited feeling, awareness, or understanding. For example, "I felt "a small sense of" accomplishment after finishing the project".

What are some alternatives to "a small sense of"?

Alternatives include "a slight feeling of", "a faint notion of", or "a mild awareness of", depending on the context.

Is it ever incorrect to use "a small sense of"?

Yes, it would be incorrect if the context implies a strong feeling or complete understanding. In such cases, stronger language would be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "a small sense of" and "a strong sense of"?

"A small sense of" implies a subtle or limited feeling, while "a strong sense of" indicates an intense or pronounced feeling. The choice depends on the degree of the emotion or perception you wish to convey.