an air of foreboding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an air of foreboding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a feeling or atmosphere that suggests something bad or unpleasant is going to happen. Example: "As the storm clouds gathered on the horizon, there was an air of foreboding that made everyone uneasy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

ON THE SCREEN -- The ad shows nothing but sun-splashed images of the United States Supreme Court building in Washington, shot from below so as to lend the narration an air of foreboding.

The New York Times

There's an air of foreboding from the beginning, as Basil declares he will never exhibit it, saying: "There is too much of myself in the thing … I am afraid that I have shown with it the secret of my own soul".

The Guardian - Books

Nearby is Rebecca Feranec's "Pump Me Up #2" (2006), a partly tongue-in-cheek illustration of a gas pump nozzle that leaves you with an air of foreboding; rather than saying anything concrete, it captures a widespread feeling of gloom at ever-rising gas prices.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Only when a deathly silence had fallen over the Colson Hall did he launch the opening cello line with its air of foreboding.

The Guardian - Music

"The World Without Us" has an arid, plain, what-if style and an air of relentless foreboding.

The New York Times - Books

The lumbering, old-fashioned drama, without psychology or subtext, presses forward with an air of relentless foreboding before breaking out into a string of horrible scenes (such as the mess Jimmy makes at his sister's wedding or his squandering of the family's insurance policy).

The New Yorker

An air of gloomy foreboding and suspense prevailed on the night of Monday, September 20th, when it became known that the top echelons of the Council had met that afternoon and had decided by a narrow majority not to present the text on religious liberty for a vote.

The New Yorker

Last year he released "Ghost on the Canvas" (Surfdog), a farewell album with a mild air of foreboding hanging over it.

The New York Times - Arts

The poems are strong enough on the page, but Martin's music, written in the midst of the Second World War, magnifies their air of foreboding to an almost unbearable degree.

The New Yorker

But it would be nice at least to imagine that they might, a possibility mostly foreclosed by the general air of foreboding that suffuses Ms. Cartmell's production, performed on a handsome set designed by Antje Ellermann, with smoky, shadow-strewn lighting design by Marcus Doshi.

The New York Times

The air of foreboding is as thick as the ghostly Le Havre fog; something tells you soldier-boy won't be catching that boat.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an air of foreboding" to create suspense or tension in writing, signaling to the reader that something ominous is about to occur. This is especially effective in fiction, film criticism, and descriptive passages.

Common error

Avoid using "an air of foreboding" when a situation is simply negative or unfortunate. This phrase implies an anticipation of future misfortune, not just present adversity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an air of foreboding" functions as a noun phrase that acts as a subject complement or an object of a preposition. It describes a quality or atmosphere. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

99%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an air of foreboding" effectively conveys a sense of impending doom or unease, primarily utilized in news, media and descriptive contexts to establish suspense. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and highlights its usability in written English. While alternatives like "a sense of impending doom" and "an atmosphere of unease" exist, the phrase remains a potent tool for setting a particular tone and shaping reader expectations. Its proper usage involves signaling future misfortune rather than just present negativity. The phrase's relative infrequency adds to its impact when deployed strategically.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a sense of impending doom

Emphasizes a feeling that something terrible is about to happen.

an atmosphere of unease

Focuses on the unsettling environment or surroundings.

a premonition of disaster

Highlights an intuitive feeling that a calamity is on the horizon.

an ominous feeling

Stresses the threatening nature of the sensation.

a heavy feeling in the air

Describes a palpable sense of something negative weighing down the atmosphere.

a sense of dread

Focuses on the anticipation of something frightening or unpleasant.

a threatening aura

Highlights the menacing quality of the surrounding atmosphere.

a cloud of apprehension

Emphasizes a widespread feeling of anxiety or fear.

a palpable sense of doom

Emphasizes that the feeling of doom is easily perceived.

a disturbing undercurrent

Highlights a subtle but unsettling feeling beneath the surface.

FAQs

What does "an air of foreboding" mean?

The phrase "an air of foreboding" describes a feeling or atmosphere that suggests something bad or unpleasant is likely to happen soon. It creates a sense of unease and anticipation of negative events.

How can I use "an air of foreboding" in a sentence?

You can use "an air of foreboding" to set a tone or describe a feeling. For example, "As the storm clouds gathered, there was "an air of foreboding" in the town."

What can I say instead of "an air of foreboding"?

You can use alternatives like "a sense of impending doom", "an atmosphere of unease", or "an ominous feeling" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "a sense of foreboding" or "an air of foreboding"?

Both phrases are correct, but they emphasize different aspects. "A sense of foreboding" refers to an individual's feeling, while "an air of foreboding" describes the atmosphere or environment creating that feeling.