fleeting impression

USAGE SUMMARY

'fleeting impression' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a brief or momentary feeling or opinion. For example, "I had a fleeting impression that something was wrong, but it quickly faded away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Sometimes, I have the fleeting impression that one or several are looking at me.

The New Yorker

Given the overwhelming volume of political advertising, any single ad may leave little beyond a fleeting impression with voters.

The New York Times

They emphasize photography's ability to freeze time, permanently recording transient effects that normally leave only a fleeting impression.

The New York Times

Riboud said: "I had the fleeting impression the soldiers were more afraid of her than she of their bayonets".

The Guardian - Arts

I had the fleeting impression I was staring at a high school football stadium, a sight familiar to anyone who grows up on the Southern Plains.

The New York Times

Williams likes to wear jeans, and his hair reaches halfway down his back, so he gives a first, fleeting impression of quietude and informality.

MIT Technology Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

The photos passed rapidly leaving fleeting impressions of shock and beauty.

Stanford University

This sense of transformation struck a chord with my own fleeting impressions on the journey from Dublin.

The New York Times

Barbizon School artists like Camille Corot and Charles-François Daubigny used the cliché-verre to capture fleeting impressions of the countryside.

The New York Times - Arts

Courtney B. Vance and Leslie Uggams are among the recognizable stars in smaller roles, but the movie is in such a hurry to cover ground that they make only fleeting impressions.

The New York Times - Arts

What little they know and learn about politics is often laden with misinformation and provides little basis for coming to public judgment beyond group identities, tribal loyalties and fleeting impressions of candidates and officeholders.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about initial or first assessments, consider using "fleeting impression" to denote that the initial view may not be accurate or complete, implying a need for further examination.

Common error

Avoid using "fleeting impression" when you actually mean a strong, lasting belief or understanding. The word "fleeting" indicates a temporary and superficial experience, so it's inappropriate for describing something deeply ingrained or permanent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fleeting impression" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig examples show it is commonly used to describe a transient or temporary perception, feeling, or idea that quickly fades away. The analyzed phrase can modify a verb, adding detail to an action.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

16%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fleeting impression" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a brief or temporary feeling or idea. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in written English. It appears most frequently in news and media sources. When using this phrase, ensure that you are accurately conveying the sense of transience and lack of depth. Be mindful of not confusing it with terms denoting permanence, such as "lasting impression". If you want to highlight the temporality of the event make a good usage of "fleeting impression". Otherwise, if you want to communicate an alternative nuance, there are several alternatives available, such as "momentary feeling" or "passing fancy".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fleeting thought

Replaces the idea of having an "impression" with experiencing a brief "thought".

passing thought

Similar to fleeting thought, it highlights the short duration of the mental occurrence.

momentary feeling

Substitutes "impression" with a more direct term for an emotional state.

transient notion

Emphasizes the temporary and insubstantial nature of the idea.

superficial sense

Underscores the lack of profound understanding.

passing fancy

Replaces "impression" with a feeling of temporary interest or attraction.

brief glimpse

Focuses on a quick and incomplete view or understanding.

cursory view

Emphasizes the lack of thoroughness in the assessment.

quick take

Highlights the speed and lack of depth in forming an opinion.

hasty judgment

Highlights that the impression leads to a quick, potentially unfair, conclusion.

FAQs

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

You can use "fleeting impression" to describe a brief or momentary feeling or opinion. For example, "I had a "fleeting impression" that something was wrong, but it quickly faded away."

What are some alternatives to "fleeting impression"?

Alternatives include "passing fancy", "momentary feeling", or "transient notion", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "fleeting impression" formal or informal?

The phrase "fleeting impression" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding language and the overall tone of your writing.

What's the difference between "fleeting impression" and "lasting impression"?

"Fleeting impression" refers to a brief, temporary feeling or idea, while "lasting impression" describes a significant, enduring effect. They are essentially opposites in terms of duration and impact.