generate a sense of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "generate a sense of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the creation or evocation of feelings, emotions, or perceptions in a particular context. Example: "The artwork aims to generate a sense of tranquility and peace among its viewers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A second option is to generate a sense of urgency.

Harvard Business Review

"And that's starting to generate a sense of insecurity in the private sector".

The New York Times

Alan replies, I just hope it will help generate a sense of human solidarity.

The Guardian

Highlighting an employee's strengths can help generate a sense of accomplishment and motivation.

Harvard Business Review

So how does humanism generate a sense of the human as being uniquely valuable?

The Guardian - Opinion

"Actually, one of the best things you can do is generate a sense of trust and calm".

The Guardian

"6 Music seemed to generate a sense of confusion among the people upstairs at the BBC," he says.

The Guardian

We use nationalism not citizenship to generate a sense of belonging and entitlement; that disables an immigrant minority.

The Guardian

The building's relatively uncomplicated yet dramatic facade testifies to Egid Quirin's ability to generate a sense of movement in stone.

Britannica

You can generate a sense of menace with one note, it's in the sound itself, not the melody or lyrics".

Independent

There are few English midfielders who generate a sense of possibilities the way Wilshere does when he breaks forward.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "generate a sense of", ensure that the subject clearly causes the feeling or perception. For example, "The music generated a sense of peace."

Common error

While versatile, relying too heavily on "generate a sense of" can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using more specific verbs that directly describe the feeling or perception being created, such as "inspire", "evoke", or "foster".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "generate a sense of" functions as a verb phrase used to describe the action of producing or creating a particular feeling, perception, or atmosphere. Ludwig examples show its usage in various contexts, highlighting its ability to convey the active creation of an emotional or sensory experience.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

2%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "generate a sense of" is a versatile and commonly used expression that describes the creation or initiation of a specific feeling, perception, or atmosphere. As verified by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts, including news, science, and business. While it is essential for writers to ensure it is appropriate in the context being used and consider possible alternatives to avoid redundancy, this phrase is suitable for describing events, actions or environments that impact emotional states. This is a phrase that is likely to continue to be used in a variety of writing styles and purposes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

create a feeling of

Focuses on the creation of a feeling, emphasizing the resulting emotion.

evoke a sense of

Highlights the act of bringing a feeling or memory into the conscious mind.

instill a feeling of

Emphasizes gradually but firmly establishing a feeling or idea in a person's mind.

foster a sense of

Suggests nurturing and developing a feeling or attitude.

cultivate a sense of

Implies carefully developing and encouraging a feeling or attitude.

produce a feeling of

Focuses on the direct creation or causation of a feeling.

inspire a sense of

Highlights the act of filling someone with the urge or ability to do or feel something, emphasizing inspiration.

promote a feeling of

Focuses on encouraging the growth or development of a feeling.

develop a sense of

Emphasizes the gradual growth and formation of a particular feeling or awareness.

trigger a feeling of

Highlights an immediate response.

FAQs

How can I use "generate a sense of" in a sentence?

You can use "generate a sense of" to describe how something creates a particular feeling or perception. For example: "The immersive environment was designed to generate a sense of wonder" or "The speaker's words helped generate a sense of hope during the crisis".

What are some alternatives to "generate a sense of"?

Depending on the specific context, you can use alternatives such as "create a feeling of", "evoke a sense of", or "foster a sense of".

Is it better to say "generate a sense of" or "create a sense of"?

Both "generate a sense of" and "create a sense of" are grammatically correct and often interchangeable. "Generate" might suggest a more dynamic or active process, while "create" is a more general term for bringing something into existence.

What's the difference between "generate a sense of" and "elicit a sense of"?

"Generate a sense of" implies actively creating or producing a feeling, while "elicit a sense of" suggests drawing out a feeling that is already present or latent. For example, a story might generate a sense of excitement, whereas a question might elicit a sense of unease.