a specific sense of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a specific sense of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to describe a particular feeling, perception, or understanding related to a subject. Example: "The artist aimed to evoke a specific sense of nostalgia in her latest painting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

There was a specific sense of obligation.

The Guardian

There's a specific sense of place.

The Washington Post

It's music rooted in a specific sense of time and place.

The New York Times - Arts

Yet a specific sense of characters never solidifies out of these whirlwind performances.

The New York Times

How does that play into your writing, in terms of giving it a specific sense of place?

The New Yorker

Adding confusion to the obvious, Joseph J. Egan, the designer, does not appear to have trusted a specific sense of place.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

What took place among the remaining Republican Presidential candidates at the Fox Theatre, in Detroit, last night was not a debate, not in any specific sense of the word.

The New Yorker

But at this point, I don't think very many people — even people who follow this stuff quite closely — have a very specific sense of what the difference between a good and bad Volcker rule is.

The Washington Post

As a result, the great majority of poets find themselves burdened not just with a vague sense of cultural neglect, but also with a very specific sense of professional exclusion.

The Guardian - Books

The SNES games were full of atmosphere and a weirdly specific sense of danger and adventure, of being in a bizarre representation of nature that was as deadly as it was gorgeous.

Vice

His purpose is not to nail down a culturally specific sense of self, but to suggest how diffuse and elusive a thing the self is, and should be.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity in technical or formal writing, consider alternative phrases such as "a precise understanding of" to reinforce the exactness of the concept.

Common error

Avoid using "a specific sense of" when a more general term like "understanding" or "feeling" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact and make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose. Instead, consider directly stating what that sense is, if possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a specific sense of" functions as a qualifier, adding detail to a noun. It typically modifies abstract nouns like feeling, awareness, understanding, or perception, specifying that the sense being referred to is not general but distinct and defined. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

26%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a specific sense of" is a versatile phrase used to denote a precise and well-defined feeling, perception, or understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. While suitable for various contexts, ranging from news articles to scientific papers, being mindful of potential overgeneralization and consider more direct wording depending on the message you want to convey. Alternatives such as "a particular feeling of" or "a precise understanding of" can be used to emphasize particular aspects, as well.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a particular feeling of

Replaces 'sense' with 'feeling', emphasizing the emotional or subjective aspect.

a definite awareness of

Uses 'awareness' to highlight a clear and conscious understanding.

a precise understanding of

Emphasizes the accuracy and clarity of the comprehension.

a distinct impression of

Focuses on the unique and memorable quality of the perception.

a clear perception of

Highlights the clarity and distinctness of the sensory experience.

a palpable feeling of

Emphasizes a feeling that is easily perceived.

a marked understanding of

Emphasizes a clear and noticeable understanding.

a notable awareness of

Focuses on the noticeable aspect of the awareness.

a defined sense of

Highlights that the feeling/sense is well defined.

a specialized sense of

Emphasizes expertise in the topic.

FAQs

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

Use "a specific sense of" to describe a particular feeling, perception, or understanding related to something. For example: "The music evoked "a specific sense of nostalgia"."

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

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "a particular feeling of", "a clear perception of", or "a precise understanding of".

When is it appropriate to use "a specific sense of"?

It is appropriate to use "a specific sense of" when you want to emphasize that the feeling, perception, or understanding is not general or vague, but rather clearly defined and particular to the situation.

What's the difference between "a specific sense of" and "a general sense of"?

"A specific sense of" implies a well-defined and particular feeling or understanding, while "a general sense of" refers to a vague or broad understanding. Using "a general sense of" implies a lack of specific detail.