ambivalent sentiments

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ambivalent sentiments" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing mixed feelings or contradictory emotions about a particular subject or situation. Example: "She felt ambivalent sentiments towards the decision, torn between excitement and apprehension."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

And just as people are stopping on their journeys to consider Mr. Higgins's mural and moral, a growing number of artists are attempting to capture, if not the wisdom of age, the complicated and ambivalent sentiments it inspires.

The New York Times - Arts

Such practices demonstrate deeply ambivalent sentiments regarding the significance of maternity such that, often, women found themselves cycling between two divergent positions.

Culture, Health and Sexuality

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Investor sentiment was ambivalent in Asia on Tuesday, signaling that rate cutting by the U.S. Federal Reserve may be losing its magic after having been resorted to frequently in recent months.

Forbes

(We're ambivalent about ambivalence).

The New York Times - Magazine

Sadly, though the current fixation of national debate is still the "Ground Zero Mosque," public opinion polls indicate that American sentiment towards the bomb has become ambivalent, and most recently, dangerously lukewarm -- something I discussed in my piece last week.

Huffington Post

As Republicans try to put the Bush presidency behind them, many feel deeply ambivalent about the man who has occupied the Oval Office for the past eight years, and that sentiment was evident on the convention floor on Tuesday evening.

The New York Times

Bellow's fiction is ambivalent, at best, about family life, tending to see it as tragicomic theatre, in which tender sentiment gets crowded out by distortion, avarice, and humiliating pettiness.

The New Yorker

Vocabulary: rallied, raw, fundamental, constitutional, blockading, ambivalent, ensconced, incremental, stealthy, establishment, platform, ascendancy, plank, reaffirmed, incest, defuse, personhood, fetus, ceded, broader, epiphany, decisive, sentiment, overarching, reproductive, unobjectionable, partial-birth, extremism, notification, renders, vacancy Extension Activities: 1.

The New York Times

Surprisingly ambivalent.

The Economist

Ambivalent Mirror?

The New Yorker

Its garment is ambivalent.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ambivalent sentiments" when you want to precisely convey the presence of contradictory feelings or emotions towards a specific subject. It suggests a nuanced and complex emotional state.

Common error

Avoid using "ambivalent sentiments" in contexts where simpler phrases like "mixed feelings" would suffice. Overly formal language can sometimes detract from clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ambivalent sentiments" functions as a noun phrase that describes a particular type of emotional state. The adjective "ambivalent" modifies the noun "sentiments", indicating the presence of conflicting or contradictory feelings. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is a correct expression.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ambivalent sentiments" describes a state of having mixed or contradictory feelings, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While grammatically correct and present in sources like The New York Times and academic publications, its frequency is rare. When writing, consider whether simpler alternatives such as "mixed emotions" might be more appropriate, depending on the context. Remember that "ambivalent sentiments" is best used when emphasizing a nuanced and complex emotional state.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mixed emotions

This alternative simplifies the phrase to emphasize the combination of different feelings.

conflicting feelings

This highlights the contradictory nature of the sentiments involved.

divided feelings

This emphasizes the split or internal conflict within the emotions.

ambiguous emotions

This alternative highlights the lack of clarity or definition in the emotions.

uncertain feelings

This focuses on the lack of clarity or resolution in the emotions.

equivocal feelings

This uses a more formal term to indicate uncertainty or a lack of decisiveness in the emotions.

paradoxical feelings

This version highlights the contradictory elements present within the emotional state.

unresolved emotions

This focuses on the incomplete or lingering nature of the feelings.

hesitant feelings

This focuses on the reluctance or uncertainty associated with the emotions.

tenuous sentiments

This alternative emphasizes the fragile or delicate nature of the feelings.

FAQs

How can I use "ambivalent sentiments" in a sentence?

You can use "ambivalent sentiments" to describe someone's conflicting emotions about a person, thing, or situation. For example, "She experienced "ambivalent sentiments" towards her former friend."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "ambivalent sentiments"?

Alternatives to "ambivalent sentiments" include "mixed emotions", "conflicting feelings", or "uncertain feelings". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "ambivalent sentiments" instead of "mixed feelings"?

"Ambivalent sentiments" is a more formal and precise way of saying "mixed feelings". Use it when you want to emphasize the simultaneous presence of contradictory emotions and prefer a more sophisticated tone.

Is it correct to say "ambivalent feelings" instead of "ambivalent sentiments"?

Yes, "ambivalent feelings" is grammatically correct and conveys a similar meaning. "Sentiments" adds a slightly more formal or reflective tone, but the two phrases are largely interchangeable.