fleeting emotion

USAGE SUMMARY

"fleeting emotion" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a feeling that is temporary or quickly passing. Example: "She experienced a fleeting emotion of joy as she watched the sunset." Alternative expressions include "transient feeling" and "ephemeral sentiment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

As the late economist Tibor Scitovsky said in "The Joyless Economy," pleasure is an inherently fleeting emotion, one we experience while escaping from emotionally aversive states.

The New York Times

The tendency of all three players to turn every fleeting emotion into a text or an e-mail created a mountain of evidence from which selective narratives could be constructed.

The New Yorker

It looks like Kid Mero's hatred towards Ray Romano wasn't just a fleeting emotion.

Vice

It looks like Kid Mero's hatred toward Ray Romano wasn't just a fleeting emotion.

Vice

In western culture and certainly in the English language, the word 'love' has been diluted into mere affection, a fleeting emotion.

Huffington Post

Shame, if it is felt at all, seems more connected with being discovered than with the loss of one's honor -- and, as we've usually seen -- that shame is a very fleeting emotion.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Affects [Affekte] are emotional agitations, sudden, fleeting emotions that temporarily interfere with rational reflection and self-control (Ant 7 253, 267; MM 6 407).

SEP

Each story in "Summer Lies" has heft, solidity — even more of an accomplishment given the delicate, fleeting emotions it captures.

The New York Times - Books

"The Feature" plunges into this memory bank, chasing down fleeting emotions, privileged moments, traces of faded experience.

The New York Times

He illustrates his envy and pride, and nails down other fleeting emotions: awkwardness with an attractive woman, panic at being left alone on the island's runway.

The New York Times - Books

From the very beginning of the film to just before the end, the soundtrack is adorned with voice-over by the four adult characters (Kurylenko's, in French; Bardem's, in Spanish) in which they reflect on the enduring traces of the fleeting emotions of the recent past and apostrophize, as if in letters unsent, on the tensions that emerge.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fleeting emotion" when you want to emphasize the temporary and non-lasting nature of a feeling. This is particularly useful in describing internal states in narratives or analyzing psychological responses.

Common error

Avoid using "fleeting emotion" excessively in formal or scientific writing where more precise or technical terms might be more appropriate. Instead, opt for terms that specify the type and cause of the emotion being discussed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fleeting emotion" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "fleeting" modifies the noun "emotion". It describes the nature of the emotion as temporary or transient. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fleeting emotion" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes a temporary feeling or sentiment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for describing transient internal states across various contexts. While not exceedingly common, it appears in reputable sources like The New York Times and Huffington Post. For alternative expressions, consider using ""transient feeling"" or ""ephemeral sentiment"" for similar meanings. When writing, be mindful of the context, avoiding overuse in overly formal writing where more precise terms might be needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

transient feeling

Focuses on the temporary nature of the feeling.

ephemeral sentiment

Emphasizes the short-lived quality of the sentiment.

passing feeling

Highlights the act of the feeling going away quickly.

momentary emotion

Stresses the brief duration of the emotion.

short-lived feeling

Directly indicates the brief existence of the feeling.

temporary sentiment

Implies the non-permanent nature of the sentiment.

transitory emotion

Highlights the changing and impermanent nature of the emotion.

brief emotion

Simply shortens the description of the emotion's duration.

fleeting sensation

Shifts the focus from emotion to sensation, but maintains the fleeting aspect.

quick emotion

Suggests both the rapid onset and disappearance of the emotion.

FAQs

How can I use "fleeting emotion" in a sentence?

You can use "fleeting emotion" to describe a feeling that appears briefly and then disappears. For example: "She experienced a "fleeting emotion" of joy as she watched the sunset, quickly replaced by a sense of melancholy."

What are some synonyms for "fleeting emotion"?

Alternatives to "fleeting emotion" include "transient feeling", "ephemeral sentiment", or "passing feeling". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "fleeting emotion" or "fleeting feeling"?

Both "fleeting emotion" and "fleeting feeling" are correct and can be used interchangeably in many contexts. "Emotion" typically implies a more complex and intense state than "feeling", but the difference is often subtle.

What does it mean to describe something as a "fleeting emotion"?

Describing an emotion as "fleeting" means that it is short-lived or temporary. It suggests that the emotion is not persistent and fades quickly, as opposed to a deep-seated or long-lasting sentiment.