dim sense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dim sense" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a vague or unclear understanding of something. Example: "He had a dim sense of what was expected of him in the meeting, but he couldn't articulate it clearly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

And the deactivated actives seem to have a dim sense that they were once real people.

The New Yorker

But I was aware, in some dim sense, of the mass of eighty or ninety people around me.

The New York Times - Science

But some dim sense of duty haunted him, his father's voice, gentle and girlish, suggesting that food might help.

The New Yorker

There may be some dim sense of this legacy behind Nazarian's regular insistence that his commitment is "long-term".

The New Yorker

His decision to begin writing book reviews, he said, was probably prompted "by a dim sense that the humanities and arts need repeated injections of amateurism".

The New York Times - Books

Trump is a candidate who deals in projection, who has a dim sense of his own faults that he then assigns to anyone but himself.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

JE I have a very dim social sense.

The Guardian - Books

And wherever he went he sought out the strangeness of the place, never allowing his status as an exploited black man to dim his sense of awe.

The Guardian - Books

"At night, what you hear and smell while swimming changes – as if you dim one sense, sight, the others are heightened".

The Guardian

Flourishing these snapshots, 25 years after the fact, may be a well-practiced routine by now, but that doesn't dim the sense of wonder the actor conveys when telling the story.

The New York Times

Clunky sermonising spoils "Say What You Want" and a cover of "I Want You Back" is expendable, but neither can dim the sense of Crow extricating herself from a rut of mediocrity.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context when using "dim sense". While generally acceptable, it might be more appropriate in literary or descriptive writing than in formal or technical contexts. In formal writing, consider alternatives like "vague understanding" or "unclear perception".

Common error

While "dim sense" is valid, be mindful of its slightly informal tone. In formal reports or academic papers, substituting it with phrases like "limited understanding" or "imperfect awareness" may enhance the text's professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dim sense" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a state of having a vague, unclear, or incomplete perception or understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Books

20%

Opinion

15%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dim sense" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate a vague or unclear understanding, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in News & Media and literary contexts, it conveys a lack of precision in perception or awareness. While versatile, it leans slightly towards informality, suggesting that in formal writing scenarios, substituting it with alternatives such as "vague understanding" or "imperfect awareness" may be preferable. When crafting your sentences, remember that "dim sense" is most effective when describing feelings or intuitions that are not sharply defined.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vague notion

Replaces "dim" with "vague", focusing on the lack of clarity.

faint idea

Substitutes "dim" with "faint", suggesting a weak or indistinct understanding.

unclear impression

Emphasizes the lack of clarity in the impression received.

hazy understanding

Uses "hazy" to convey a blurred or unclear comprehension.

rough idea

Highlights the approximate and unrefined nature of the understanding.

imprecise feeling

Focuses on the lack of precision in the feeling or intuition.

fleeting awareness

Suggests a brief and transient recognition.

peripheral awareness

Indicates an awareness that is not central or focused.

shadowy notion

Implies that the idea is unclear and indistinct, like a shadow.

obscure inkling

Uses "obscure" to denote something that is not well known or understood, paired with "inkling" for a slight suspicion or feeling.

FAQs

How can I use "dim sense" in a sentence?

You can use "dim sense" to describe a vague or unclear understanding of something. For example: "He had a "dim sense" of what was expected of him." or "She had a "dim sense" of unease before the storm hit."

What can I say instead of "dim sense"?

You can use alternatives like "vague notion", "faint idea", or "unclear impression" depending on the context.

Is "dim sense" a formal or informal expression?

"Dim sense" leans slightly towards the informal side. While acceptable in many contexts, more formal alternatives like "limited understanding" or "imperfect awareness" might be preferable in academic or professional writing.

What's the difference between "dim sense" and "intuition"?

"Dim sense" suggests a vague or unclear understanding, while "intuition" implies a more direct, albeit not necessarily rational, insight. "Dim sense" might precede a clearer understanding, whereas intuition is often presented as a complete, if unexplained, feeling or belief.