expression of awe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expression of awe" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a feeling of wonder or admiration in response to something impressive or extraordinary. Example: "The breathtaking view of the mountains elicited an expression of awe from all the hikers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

I grew to enjoy watching this feat of nature, the hinge of Pretzel's jaw dislocating in a perfect evolutionary trick — and I loved even more the expression of awe on Oren's face as he watched me feed her.

The New York Times

The recent expression of awe for the black woman voter is particularly troubling, because it feels like a kind of disclosure: you'd have to be truly isolated from the day-to-day realities of black existence to be shaken by the racial and gendered dimension of Jones's win.

The New Yorker

For instance, had Oprah simply valued and identified with Diana Nyad's expression of awe and wonder at the world instead of reducing it to a slightly different but essentially similar expression of faith as her own, then the conversation might have moved on to how they could work together to save this precious world that elicits wonder from one and belief from another.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

There has been whining as well as expressions of awe.

The New Yorker

But more than anything else, I heard expressions of awe at the president's preternatural certainty and wonderment about its source.

The New York Times - Magazine

Trump's arrival generated satisfying expressions of awe from the rubberneckers, though not the spontaneous burst of applause that greeted Vanna, who had been conscripted for what was described as "the ceremonial first pull".

The New Yorker

The acknowledgments page will conclude with the sort of crowd-pandering favored by stumping politicians — with expressions of awe and humility for the author's supportive parents, brilliant children, and devoted spouse.

The New Yorker

Even during a tour of the project last month, when developers guided local officials and reporters through the byzantine construction zone, the cynical comments were a subtext to the expressions of awe the sweeping structure inspires when viewed from within.

The New York Times

Emmerich, who previously directed "Godzilla" and "Independence Day" (in which aliens blow up the Empire State Building and pretty much everything else), is accustomed to issuing commands like "Cue the taxicabs to be flung about like puny toys" and "Humans, assume expressions of awe at forces beyond your comprehension".

The New Yorker

At night, the Roman amphitheatre glowed with the masculine swagger of imperial might, and I had to swallow my expressions of awe rather than gasp them to my husband, whose absence I felt as palpably as I would have his presence.

BBC

I look around at everyone else's expressions of awe and joy, and I think I must be crazy.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "expression of awe" to vividly depict a character's reaction to something grand or impressive. For a stronger impact, describe the specific features of the expression, such as widened eyes or a dropped jaw.

Common error

Avoid using "expression of awe" for ordinary or unremarkable situations. This can dilute its impact and make your writing sound unnatural. Save it for truly significant moments to highlight the extraordinary nature of the experience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expression of awe" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It describes a visible or discernible manifestation of a feeling. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "expression of awe" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that effectively depicts a visible display of wonder or admiration. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While not exceedingly common, it finds frequent use in journalistic and descriptive contexts. To enhance writing, focus on using it in truly remarkable situations and describing the specific features of the expression, while considering semantically similar phrases for variety such as "feeling of wonder" or "sense of amazement".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expression of wonderment

Synonymous, replacing "awe" with "wonderment" for variety.

feeling of wonder

Focuses on the internal experience rather than the outward display.

sense of amazement

Highlights the surprise and astonishment associated with the feeling.

look of admiration

Emphasizes the visual aspect of admiring something.

astonished look

Highlights the surprise element of awe.

awed reaction

Highlights the reaction or response of being awed.

reverential gaze

Suggests a more profound and respectful form of awe.

impressed demeanor

Focuses on the overall attitude of being impressed.

jaw-dropping reaction

Emphasizes the intensity and suddenness of the reaction.

speechless admiration

Highlights the inability to speak due to overwhelming admiration.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "expression of awe" in a sentence?

To effectively use "expression of awe", pair it with vivid descriptions of the subject causing the awe and the specific details of the expression itself. For example, "The climber stared at the summit with an expression of awe, his eyes wide and his mouth slightly open."

What are some alternatives to "expression of awe"?

You can use alternatives like "feeling of wonder", "sense of amazement", or "look of admiration" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "expression of awe" or "sense of awe"?

"Expression of awe" refers to the outward manifestation of the feeling, while "sense of awe" refers to the internal feeling itself. The choice depends on whether you want to describe the outward appearance or the inward experience.

What's the difference between "expression of awe" and "expression of wonder"?

While both terms describe a feeling of amazement, "expression of awe" often implies a feeling of reverence or respect, whereas "expression of wonder" can simply indicate curiosity or astonishment.