an overarching sense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an overarching sense" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a general or comprehensive feeling or understanding that encompasses various elements or aspects of a situation. Example: "The report provided an overarching sense of the project's impact on the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

In an overarching sense, the weird shares the subjectivity and uncertainty prioritised by postmodern philosophy.

The Guardian - Books

It was a time defined by academic pressure, social challenges, and an overarching sense of anxiety.

University of California, Berkeley

Sri Lanka's problem, as Jayatilleka sees it, is the absence of an overarching sense of national identity.

The New Yorker

Beyond the added emotional response to the defeat, the Giants (6-3) cawayaway from their first loss in five weeks with an overarching sense of frustration.

The New York Times - Sports

However, he said he would like to see the UK develop a culture more like the US, where people are "united under an overarching sense of being American".

The Guardian

James Payne suggests another possibility: that the critical variable in the indulgence of violence is an overarching sense that life is cheap.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

First, we need to build an MIT that has a overarching sense of community and inclusiveness, not an MIT that is merely a collection of small, exclusive communities without overall integration.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The book contends that from law school on through their careers, lawyers are so imbued with the concepts of serving a client in an adversarial arena ("zealous advocacy," in legal parlance) and unemotionally evaluating facts and rules ("thinking like a lawyer," as the phrase goes) that they fail to answer to any overarching sense of right and wrong.

The New York Times

The public will tend to form an opinion of performance from an immediate and overarching sense of restiveness — of America being, as less exacting surveys put it, "on the wrong track".

The New Yorker

A visit to the imperial furniture storerooms, known as Hofmobiliendepot Möbel Museum Wien provides a fascinating glimpse of both imperial Hapsburg luxury and the Archdukes' overarching sense of frugality in palace decoration on a need-to-use basis.

The New York Times - Travel

Comic Relief's slightly less edgy older brother returns for its 34th annual fundraiseathon, and, well, you know the drill: Wogan, Pudsey and the overarching sense that the whole affair is a bit too regimented for anything truly memorable to happen.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, immediately follow "an overarching sense" with a concise description of what is being sensed. This ensures the reader understands the specific feeling or theme you intend to convey.

Common error

Avoid using "an overarching sense" too frequently in your writing. Vary your language by employing synonyms like "prevailing feeling" or "dominant impression" to maintain reader engagement and avoid repetition.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "an overarching sense" is to act as a noun phrase that describes a general or pervasive feeling, impression, or understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in diverse contexts to introduce a dominant sentiment or theme.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

16%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an overarching sense" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe a dominant feeling, impression, or understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its usage across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media, Academia, and Science. When using this phrase, be mindful of potential overuse and consider employing synonyms to maintain reader engagement. The phrase is appropriate for formal writing, but clarity is paramount—ensure the reader understands the specific feeling or theme you intend to convey. By following these guidelines, you can effectively incorporate "an overarching sense" into your writing to establish a unifying concept or mood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a prevailing feeling

Replaces 'overarching sense' with 'prevailing feeling', emphasizing the dominance of the emotion.

a dominant impression

Substitutes 'overarching sense' with 'dominant impression', highlighting the impact and prominence of the feeling.

a comprehensive understanding

Focuses on the intellectual aspect rather than the emotional, suggesting a complete grasp of the situation.

a general awareness

Indicates a broad and nonspecific recognition or consciousness of something.

a widespread sentiment

Highlights the collective nature of the feeling, suggesting it is shared by many.

a unifying theme

Shifts the focus to a central idea that ties things together, rather than a feeling.

a central perspective

Emphasizes a main viewpoint or way of considering something.

a global view

Suggests a complete and all-encompassing perspective.

a holistic perception

Implies that something is understood by looking at it as a whole.

a fundamental outlook

Conveys a basic attitude or way of thinking about something.

FAQs

How can I use "an overarching sense" in a sentence?

You can use "an overarching sense" to describe a general feeling or understanding that influences or dominates a situation. For example, "There was "an overarching sense" of anxiety during the project due to the tight deadline".

What's the difference between "an overarching sense" and "a general feeling"?

"An overarching sense" implies a more encompassing and influential feeling that affects multiple aspects of a situation, while "a general feeling" is a broader, less specific emotion. Using "an overarching sense" suggests the feeling is a defining characteristic.

What can I say instead of "an overarching sense"?

You can use alternatives like "a prevailing feeling", "a dominant impression", or "a comprehensive understanding" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "an overarching sense" in formal writing?

Yes, "an overarching sense" is appropriate for formal writing. It's used in news articles, academic papers, and business reports to describe a prevailing mood or understanding. However, consider the specific context and audience to ensure it's the most effective choice.