a trace of guilt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a trace of guilt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a slight or faint feeling of guilt that someone may experience in a particular situation. Example: "After the argument, she felt a trace of guilt for raising her voice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"I sit next to the smoke room, so lots of people wander past all day seeing what's on my screen at any moment," admits Alex Banks without a trace of guilt.

The Guardian - Sport

When he read about my marriage he emailed me as if nothing had happened, without a trace of guilt.

Huffington Post

(With a trace of guilt, I remember telling a fellow co-ed on my study abroad program in London that the bidet was in fact a water fountain for short people before I stopped her for using it as such. But I digress).

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

ORSON WELLES called Hollywood a "bright, guilty place," but there was little trace of guilt in the air all last week as parties overtook the town in anticipation of tonight.

The New York Times - Style

I smiled at him, feeling a touch of guilt.

The New York Times - Magazine

Not a trace of mud.

Independent

A trace of cushion.

The Guardian - Film

Without a trace of a smile, Mlle.

The New York Times

There was a trace of woodworm damage.

The New Yorker

A trace of mineral smoke rises.

The New York Times

They're poetic, a trace of a trace".

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a trace of guilt" to subtly indicate a character's inner conflict or moral awareness without overwhelming the narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "a trace of guilt" too frequently, as it can become repetitive. Vary your descriptions of guilt with other phrases to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a trace of guilt" functions as a noun phrase, with "trace" acting as the head noun and "guilt" as a post-modifier specifying the type of trace. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and describes a minimal amount of a feeling.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a trace of guilt" is a grammatically correct and subtle way to express a minimal feeling of remorse or culpability. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it's relatively rare in occurrence. Predominantly found in News & Media, Wiki, and Encyclopedia sources, this phrase serves to subtly depict internal conflict without being overly dramatic. When writing, remember to use it sparingly and consider alternatives like "a hint of guilt" or "a touch of guilt" to avoid repetition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a hint of guilt

Indicates a slightly lesser degree of guilt compared to "a trace of guilt".

a touch of guilt

Similar in meaning to "a hint of guilt", implying a mild feeling of guilt.

a shadow of guilt

Suggests a subtle, lingering presence of guilt.

a whisper of conscience

Suggests a barely perceptible feeling of guilt or moral unease.

a degree of remorse

Focuses more on regret and sorrow for past actions.

a pang of conscience

Highlights the internal moral conflict associated with guilt.

a sense of culpability

Emphasizes responsibility for wrongdoing.

a flicker of shame

Shifts the focus to the feeling of shame rather than guilt.

a moment of regret

Focuses on the feeling of regret without necessarily implying guilt.

a suspicion of responsibility

Focuses on the idea of being responsible for an action.

FAQs

How can I use "a trace of guilt" in a sentence?

You can use "a trace of guilt" to describe a slight feeling of remorse or culpability, as in "He felt "a trace of guilt" after forgetting her birthday".

What are some alternatives to "a trace of guilt"?

Alternatives include "a hint of guilt", "a touch of guilt", or "a shadow of guilt", each conveying a slightly different nuance of the feeling.

Is it more appropriate to say "a trace of guilt" or "a feeling of guilt"?

"A trace of guilt" implies a smaller, less intense feeling compared to "a feeling of guilt", which suggests a more substantial and noticeable emotion.

In what contexts is it common to encounter the phrase "a trace of guilt"?

The phrase "a trace of guilt" is often used in narratives, journalistic writing, and psychological analyses to subtly depict characters' or subjects' internal states.