a trace of nostalgia

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a trace of nostalgia" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a slight feeling or hint of nostalgia, often in relation to memories or past experiences. Example: "As she flipped through the old photo album, she felt a trace of nostalgia wash over her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Not a trace of nostalgia in the language.

The Guardian - Books

In both shows, viewers will feel more than a trace of nostalgia.

The New York Times

A trace of nostalgia for those days of easy incendiary themes lingers in his blog and in "November," as the lesbian speechwriter, Bernstein, tries to get the president to perform a wedding ceremony for her and her partner.

The New York Times

It is to Davis-Goff's great credit that life at Ballydavid is described without even a trace of nostalgia; Alice's existence is chiefly one of scary riding lessons, adult conversations that abruptly end when she enters the room, and listening to her grandmother plan social events mostly for the satisfaction of crossing someone's name off her guest list.

The New York Times - Books

This is not just because John seems to live in a perpetual present, forever scanning the world around him with as much intensity as he might ever scan the world within – and therefore seems to live without a trace of nostalgia – but also because he is full of excitement and curiosity about the future.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

That gesture, though retrospective by design, felt bleached of any trace of nostalgia onstage.

The New York Times - Arts

On the other hand, the area is one of the few truly low-rise neighborhoods left on the island, with gorgeous views, wide cobblestoned streets and a haunting trace of nostalgia for the rough-trade days.

Forbes

What distinguishes Oakeshott from organic folk conservatives is that he has not a trace of sentiment or nostalgia for an old, authentic order.

The New Yorker

He looked toward the uncertain outcome of the election with an air of acceptance and looked back over the road he had traveled with a trace of something akin to nostalgia for the extraordinary experience he had endured, no matter the outcome.

The New York Times

The takeover of the plane evoked a touch of nostalgia, tracing to an era when political activism and crime sometimes went hand in hand.

The New York Times

There's never a trace of cuteness or condescension or nostalgia in her writing about children.And while I was writing "One Saturday Morning," I was reading and teaching "June Recital" by Eudora Welty.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a trace of nostalgia" to subtly evoke a sense of the past without overwhelming the present context. This phrase works well when describing a character's feelings or the atmosphere of a place.

Common error

Avoid using "a trace of nostalgia" in situations that already carry strong emotional weight. This can make your writing seem melodramatic. Instead, reserve it for moments where a subtle hint of the past adds depth.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a trace of nostalgia" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a small amount or indication of nostalgic feeling. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a trace of nostalgia" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase to express a slight or subtle feeling of longing for the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is acceptable and commonly used in various writing styles, especially in news and media. While "a trace of nostalgia" is considered rare in frequency, it is effective for subtly evoking a sense of the past without being overly sentimental. Related phrases include ""a hint of nostalgia"" or ""a touch of nostalgia"". When using the phrase, it's best to avoid overly sentimental contexts and reserve it for moments where a subtle hint of the past adds depth.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a hint of nostalgia

Indicates a slight, subtle feeling of nostalgia.

a touch of nostalgia

Suggests a mild and gentle feeling of nostalgia.

a whiff of nostalgia

Implies a fleeting and brief sense of nostalgia.

a tinge of nostalgia

Conveys a slight coloring or influence of nostalgic sentiment.

a sense of nostalgia

Refers to a more defined feeling of looking back fondly.

a feeling of nostalgia

Emphasizes the emotional experience of nostalgia.

a pang of nostalgia

Describes a sudden, sharp feeling of longing for the past.

a wave of nostalgia

Indicates an overwhelming rush of nostalgic feelings.

a moment of nostalgia

Highlights a specific instance when nostalgia is experienced.

a degree of nostalgia

Suggests a measured or quantifiable amount of nostalgic sentiment.

FAQs

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

You can use "a trace of nostalgia" to describe a faint feeling of longing for the past, for example: "Looking at the old photographs, she felt "a trace of nostalgia" for her childhood."

What's a good alternative to "a trace of nostalgia"?

Alternatives include "a hint of nostalgia", "a touch of nostalgia", or "a whiff of nostalgia". The best choice depends on the intensity and duration of the feeling you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a trace of nostalgic"?

While "nostalgic" is an adjective related to nostalgia, "a trace of nostalgic" is not a standard phrase. It's more common and grammatically sound to say ""a trace of nostalgia"".

What's the difference between "a trace of nostalgia" and "a sense of nostalgia"?

"A trace of nostalgia" implies a very slight or subtle feeling, while "a sense of nostalgia" suggests a more noticeable and defined feeling.