get the sense that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "get the sense that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in a sentence when you want to express that you are gaining an understanding of a particular situation or concept. For example: "I get the sense that the company is looking to restructure its business model to better appeal to its customers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You get the sense that would not happen in Norway.

HuffPost

But I didn't get the sense that it was.

The New York Times

You get the sense that it was all terribly confusing.

The New Yorker

"You get the sense that everyone's rooting for each other".

The New York Times - Arts

Do you get the sense that this is true?

The New York Times

You get the sense that this book changed him.

The Guardian - Books

I don't get the sense that she loves the company.

Harvard Business Review

You get the sense that anything could happen.

The Guardian - Music

But you get the sense that his paintings never did".

The New York Times

"Sometimes I get the sense that this surprises people.

The New York Times

"You don't get the sense that Obama is stargazing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "get the sense that" to express a feeling or intuition that is not necessarily based on concrete evidence. It adds a layer of subtlety and acknowledges that your understanding is subjective.

Common error

Avoid using "get the sense that" too frequently in your writing, as it can make your prose sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "I suspect that", "I believe that", or "I gather that."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get the sense that" functions as a hedged statement, softening a claim by indicating that it's based on intuition or impression rather than definitive proof. Ludwig provides numerous examples across various contexts to support this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Academia

11%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "get the sense that" is a versatile phrase used to express a feeling, impression, or intuition about something, rather than stating a hard fact. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely accepted. It's commonly found in news and media, and less frequently in formal academic writing. Alternatives include "get the impression that", "have the feeling that", and "believe that", each with slightly different connotations. When writing, be mindful not to overuse this phrase, and consider whether a more direct statement might be appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get the impression that

Focuses on the impression received, rather than a general sense.

have the feeling that

Emphasizes the emotional aspect of understanding.

suspect that

Suggests a degree of doubt or uncertainty.

believe that

Indicates a stronger conviction or belief.

gather that

Implies collecting information to form an understanding.

understand that

Highlights a cognitive grasp of the situation.

conclude that

Implies a reasoned judgment based on available information.

deduce that

Suggests reaching a conclusion through logical reasoning.

infer that

Highlights drawing a conclusion from indirect evidence.

assume that

Implies making a presumption without concrete proof.

FAQs

How can I use "get the sense that" in a sentence?

"Get the sense that" is used to express an intuition or feeling about something. For example, "I get the sense that the project is behind schedule."

What can I say instead of "get the sense that"?

You can use alternatives like "get the impression that", "have the feeling that", or "believe that" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "get the sense that" or "believe that"?

"Believe that" is generally considered more formal than "get the sense that". "Get the sense that" suggests a less concrete or more intuitive understanding.

What's the difference between "get the sense that" and "understand that"?

"Get the sense that" implies an intuitive feeling or impression, while "understand that" suggests a more cognitive and reasoned grasp of the information.