chief feeling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chief feeling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the primary or most significant emotion someone is experiencing in a particular context. Example: "Her chief feeling during the meeting was one of frustration as she listened to the ongoing debates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

General Discussion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The play (be it a tragedy or comedy) is too long drawn out, and my chief feeling about it now is a sense of infinite weariness.

The New York Times

One could dispute much that he said yesterday but afterwards my chief feeling was was one of sorrow – for this once powerful man's plain unhappiness, whatever its cause".

The Guardian

Some commanders in chief, feeling the reins of power slip away, have sought one last time to influence policy or thinking.

The New York Times

Mr. Richardson wrote all but one ("Vaal," by his vibraphonist, Mike Pinto), and while he throws a few busy themes into the mix, the chief feeling is of lyrical calm and flowing propulsion.

The New York Times - Arts

But just a day later, the Department of Homeland Security referred Long's use of government vehicles to federal investigators for a possible criminal probe, a move that left the FEMA chief feeling "betrayed," three sources familiar with his thinking told the Post.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Rich man, poor man, thief, Doctor, lawyer, chief, Feel a feeling that they can't ignore It plays a part in every heart And every heart is shouting, "Encore".

Huffington Post

Mr. Bolton is far more hawkish than either Mr. Mattis or General McMaster; administration officials said his deputy, Ms. Ricardel, actively dislikes the Pentagon chief — a feeling Mr. Mattis is believed to return in full.

The New York Times

Foundation chief executives are feeling forsaken.

The Guardian

Assistant Chief Joseph Callan recalled feeling the north tower move.

The New York Times

Now other chief executives are feeling the same pressure, including Mary T. Barra of General Motors.

The New York Times

Now, even chief executives are feeling the pinch as their huge bonuses shrink.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context carefully. "Chief feeling" works best when describing a clear and identifiable emotion that stands out above others.

Common error

Avoid using "chief feeling" in very casual or informal settings. While grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or stilted in everyday conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "main feeling" or "biggest emotion" in those cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chief feeling" functions as a noun phrase, where "chief" modifies "feeling" to indicate the most prominent or dominant emotion. Examples from Ludwig show it describing a main emotional state in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

10%

Arts

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "chief feeling" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that highlights the most dominant emotion in a particular context. According to Ludwig, while appropriate in various settings, "chief feeling" is most commonly found in news and media sources, and can be replaced by alternatives such as "dominant emotion" or "main emotion". When writing, reserve "chief feeling" for situations where emphasizing the primary emotion is crucial for clarity and impact, and avoid overuse in informal settings to prevent sounding overly formal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dominant emotion

Replaces "feeling" with "emotion" and "chief" with "dominant", emphasizing the controlling nature of the emotion.

primary sensation

Substitutes "feeling" with "sensation", changing the nuance slightly to a more sensory experience.

overriding sentiment

Uses "sentiment" instead of "feeling" and "overriding" in place of "chief", indicating a powerful, prevailing emotion.

main emotion

Replaces "chief" with "main", offering a more straightforward and common alternative.

prevailing mood

Shifts from a specific feeling to a broader "mood", suggesting a more general emotional state.

principal feeling

Replaces "chief" with "principal", keeping the emphasis on the most important feeling.

foremost sense

Substitutes "feeling" with "sense", implying a more intuitive or perceptive understanding.

key sentiment

Uses "sentiment" instead of "feeling" and "key" in place of "chief", highlighting the crucial nature of the emotion.

central emotion

Replaces "chief" with "central", indicating the core emotional experience.

paramount feeling

Substitutes "chief" with "paramount", emphasizing the supreme or most important nature of the feeling.

FAQs

How can I use "chief feeling" in a sentence?

You can use "chief feeling" to describe the main emotion someone experiences in a situation. For example, "Her "chief feeling" was relief when she heard the good news".

What can I say instead of "chief feeling"?

Alternatives include "dominant emotion", "main emotion", or "primary sensation", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "chief feeling" too formal for casual conversation?

While grammatically correct, "chief feeling" can sound somewhat formal. In casual conversation, simpler alternatives like "main feeling" or "biggest emotion" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "chief feeling" and "overriding sentiment"?

"Chief feeling" refers to the primary or most prominent emotion, while "overriding sentiment" suggests a more powerful emotion that suppresses or controls other feelings. The choice depends on the intensity you wish to convey.