feeling of foreboding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feeling of foreboding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sense of impending doom or anxiety about something negative that may happen in the future. Example: "As she walked through the darkened hallway, a feeling of foreboding washed over her, making her hesitate before continuing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Like Anna Karenina with her railway-themed dreams, those cows are giving him a strange feeling of foreboding.

The Guardian - Film

With each entrance of the weak-willed priest (Charles Dale), who serves as the reluctant water-carrier for the local IRA leader (Stuart Graham), grows the feeling of foreboding.

The Washington Post

In fact, it does a lot less – there is none of that feeling of foreboding or doom.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He said that "there is always a feeling of foreboding and failure at the end of all exchange-rate arrangements," but that European economies are largely strong.

The New York Times

"The morning tempo is changing and the sky is greying up". The book captures a feeling of foreboding, the sense of a future that is uncertain and volatile.

The Guardian - Books

Writing in the Guardian, Shahidha Bari hailed this 'tinderbox of a novel' that 'captures a feeling of foreboding, the sense of a future that is uncertain and volatile'.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

One cannot look at his "Paris Evening, 1934," in which an isolated couple casts a long shadow in the mist, without feeling a frisson of foreboding.

The New York Times

Premonitions might include feelings of foreboding or "hunches" that something "feels right".

WikiHow

But to him, it captures the feelings of foreboding and powerlessness that seemingly everybody in Puerto Rico is dealing with now.

The New York Times

"Nonsense is such a difficult art!" De Vries once wrote, and to contemporary readers he is in many ways a mystifying figure, perhaps because he used laughter to disguise so much while letting so much poke through — especially his feelings of desolation and his sense of foreboding.

The New Yorker

"Nonsense is such a difficult art!" De Vries once wrote, and to contemporary readers he is in many ways a mystifying figure, perhaps because he used laughter to disguise so much while letting so much poke through especially his feelings of desolation and his sense of foreboding.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feeling of foreboding" to create suspense or hint at future negative events in narratives. It can also be used to describe a general sense of unease or anxiety in non-fiction writing.

Common error

Avoid using "feeling of foreboding" for minor inconveniences or everyday anxieties. It is best suited for situations with serious or significant potential negative consequences. Overusing it can diminish its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feeling of foreboding" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes an emotional state characterized by an anticipation of future negative events, as Ludwig AI confirms.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Books

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "feeling of foreboding" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a sense of impending doom or unease about the future. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its primary function is to convey anxiety or anticipation of negative events, often used to create suspense or foreshadowing. While versatile, it is best employed in contexts that warrant a serious or significant potential for negative consequences. Its neutral to formal register makes it suitable for news, media, and literary works, and, while "common", avoiding overuse will maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sense of impending doom

Focuses on the negative future event that is anticipated.

premonition of disaster

Implies a supernatural or intuitive sense of a coming catastrophe.

uneasy anticipation

Highlights the discomfort and expectation associated with an uncertain future.

sense of dread

Emphasizes the fear and apprehension connected to an expected event.

impending doom

A more concise way to express the sense of something bad about to happen.

growing apprehension

Highlights the increase in worry and anxiety over time.

ominous feeling

Focuses on the threatening and inauspicious nature of the feeling.

foreboding sensation

Uses a more physical term to describe the experience of anticipating something bad.

presentiment of evil

Suggests a premonition of something malevolent or harmful.

inkling of misfortune

Indicates a subtle, intuitive sense that something bad is likely to occur.

FAQs

How can I effectively use the phrase "feeling of foreboding" in a sentence?

The phrase "feeling of foreboding" works well to establish suspense or hint at potential negative outcomes. For example, "As the storm clouds gathered, a feeling of foreboding settled over the village."

What are some alternatives to "feeling of foreboding"?

You can use alternatives like "sense of impending doom", "premonition of disaster", or "uneasy anticipation" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "feeling of foreboding" and "sense of foreboding"?

While both phrases are very similar, "feeling of foreboding" emphasizes the emotional aspect, whereas "sense of foreboding" might imply a more intuitive or intellectual understanding that something bad is about to happen.

When is it appropriate to use "feeling of foreboding" in writing?

It is appropriate when you want to convey a strong sense of impending doom, anxiety, or unease about a future event. It is particularly effective in fiction to create suspense or foreshadow negative events. Avoid using it in trivial or mundane situations.