a twinge of conscience

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "a twinge of conscience" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use this phrase when talking about someone feeling guilty about a certain action they have taken. For example, "After he lied to his friends, he felt a twinge of conscience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Far out over the Atlantic, as you approach Greenland, a twinge of conscience hits you.

The New Yorker

With environmentalists deriding his company's new profit leader as the "Ford Valdez," Mr. Ford understandably feels a twinge of conscience.

The New York Times

It seems silly to write about it now, but when I got back in the van with Grant I felt a twinge of conscience.

The Guardian - Opinion

But a twinge of conscience, or a twist of pain at the memory of those misdeeds which drove him from America in the first place, won't let him kill.

The Guardian - Film

As I hailed a cab, I felt a twinge of conscience at my slightly operatic escape and wondered, a bit guiltily, whether he would be able to get dinner on the table fast enough to keep our son from melting down.

The New York Times - Travel

And, where the historical myth of the Western is now being eaten away by national guilt over the treatment of Native Americans, the zombie story provides us with the undead, a new category of nonhuman humans who can be mowed down without a twinge of conscience.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Does suffering a twinge of bad conscience justify what we do in a righteous cause?

The New York Times - Books

Our White Supresident danced around DACA, blending his incompetence, alt-right branding concerns, and a tiny twinge of conscience, as he toyed with 800,000 young people who deserve a future in America.

Huffington Post

All he would know is that he pointlessly sabotaged his career due to a tinge of conscience". After learning of the heavy redactions in Perkins' report, Criscione's own twinge of conscience, he says, prompted him to independently investigate the dam flood risk issue.

HuffPost

Still, in nearly 300 pages of what amounts to a memoir of his life as a SEAL, Bissonnette does not report a single twitch of conscience, barely a moment of reflection, not a twinge of regret.

The New York Times - Books

Lying to your parents for a long time will probably weigh on your conscience, and you will probably feel at least a twinge of guilt.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a twinge of conscience" to describe a brief, often subtle, feeling of guilt or moral unease after doing something you know might be wrong. It's most effective when highlighting internal conflict or a delayed reaction to an action.

Common error

Avoid using "a twinge of conscience" when a more profound feeling of guilt or remorse is appropriate. This phrase implies a minor discomfort, not deep regret or repentance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a twinge of conscience" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb (e.g., feel, experience). Ludwig AI confirms this usage, showing it describes a brief, uncomfortable sensation related to one's moral sense.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

13%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a twinge of conscience" is a noun phrase used to describe a mild feeling of guilt or moral unease. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While not as strong as remorse, it signifies a recognition of potential wrongdoing. When writing, ensure the intensity of the phrase matches the degree of guilt you intend to convey. Alternatives like "a pang of guilt" or "a flicker of remorse" might be more appropriate for stronger feelings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a prick of conscience

Similar to "twinge" but suggests a sharper, more immediate feeling of moral discomfort.

a pang of guilt

Uses "pang" to suggest a sharper, more sudden feeling of guilt compared to "twinge".

a wave of guilt

Conveys a stronger, more overwhelming feeling of guilt that washes over someone.

a flicker of remorse

Emphasizes regret and sorrow for past actions, focusing on emotional suffering.

a nagging feeling of guilt

Implies a persistent and bothersome sense of guilt that is difficult to ignore.

a hint of regret

Suggests a milder feeling of sorrow or disappointment.

a guilty conscience

Directly states the presence of guilt, without specifying the intensity.

a sense of shame

Highlights the feeling of dishonor or disgrace associated with an action.

a moral qualm

Focuses on a feeling of uneasiness or doubt about the morality of an action.

a troubled conscience

Describes a state of ongoing moral conflict and unease.

FAQs

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

You can use "a twinge of conscience" to describe a slight feeling of guilt after doing something questionable. For example, "He felt "a twinge of conscience" after taking the last cookie."

What's a similar phrase to "a twinge of conscience"?

Similar phrases include "a pang of guilt", "a flicker of remorse", or "a hint of regret", each conveying a slightly different shade of discomfort.

Is it better to say "a twinge of conscience" or "a guilty conscience"?

"A "twinge of conscience"" suggests a brief, mild feeling of guilt, while "a guilty conscience" implies a deeper, more persistent state of guilt. The best choice depends on the intensity of the feeling you want to convey.

Can "a twinge of conscience" be positive?

While primarily associated with negative feelings, experiencing ""a twinge of conscience"" can be positive as it indicates moral awareness and the capacity for self-reflection.