got an impression

USAGE SUMMARY

"got an impression" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe when someone has a particular feeling or understanding of something based on their experience. For example: "When she met her new boss, she got an impression that he was very professional and demanding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

He is aware that when he is angry, he is more frightening than he means to be: 'People have got an impression of me as being very violent but I've hardly ever had a fight in my life.

The Guardian - Film

As usual with the Talking Band, the marriage of words and music is so perfect it is almost impossible to recall later whether you were told some details or got an impression of them from the sound.

The New York Times

They had the appearance of hard-core fishermen, with weathered faces and baseball caps to match, yet I got an impression that none had actually made a cast in years.

The New York Times - Sports

"We got an impression that the North was very willing to resolve the Kaesong issue and is making great efforts as well," Suh Ho said.

BBC

When I was talking to the zoos in Washington, I got an impression that they thought Mr. Hands was a bit of a weakling: He was an intellectual, he worked for Boeing as an engineer.

Vice

As a result, we got an impression of 169 cases as experienced by GPs or nurses.

BMC Palliative Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Billy gets an impression of strength and solidness and damp".

The New York Times - Books

"Every time they look at us, they get an impression," she said wryly.

The New York Times

But to get an impression of the nature of a person, one has to see him in motion.

The New York Times

Talk to Pullman and you get an impression of the head of steam that builds behind a mega-budget franchise.

The Guardian - Film

I think you're getting an impression of what my life in the movies has been like.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "got an impression" when you want to convey a sense of understanding or feeling that is not necessarily based on concrete facts, but rather on observation or experience.

Common error

Avoid using "got an impression" when you have definitive evidence or data. Instead, use phrases like "concluded", "determined", or "established" to reflect a more factual basis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "got an impression" functions as a verb phrase expressing the formation of a subjective understanding or feeling about something. It indicates a non-definitive conclusion based on observation or experience. As per Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and can be used in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

43%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "got an impression" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express a subjective understanding or feeling about something based on observation or experience. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. While it is more common in neutral to informal contexts, it can also appear in news and media. Alternatives like "formed an opinion" or "gained a sense" can be used depending on the desired nuance. When using this phrase, be mindful to avoid using it when you have definitive facts to share and to select an alternative that matches your intentions with more precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

received the impression

Formally indicates the receipt of a feeling or idea from an external source.

formed an opinion

Focuses on the cognitive aspect of creating a judgment after being exposed to something, slightly more assertive than QUERY.

gained a sense

Emphasizes intuitive understanding or feeling, rather than a concrete judgment.

came to believe

Highlights the process of arriving at a belief, suggesting a gradual development of understanding instead of a spontaneous feeling.

picked up on

Suggests perceiving subtle cues or hints, often implying insightfulness or attentiveness.

gathered the idea

Highlights the collection and synthesis of information, pointing to intellectual comprehension.

surmised

Indicates forming a belief or idea on uncertain grounds or incomplete information.

deduced

Stresses the use of reasoning to infer something, implying a logical thought process.

inferred

Points out the drawing of conclusions from premises or evidence.

concluded

Implies a definitive judgment or decision based on available information.

FAQs

What does "got an impression" mean?

The phrase "got an impression" means to form an idea, feeling, or understanding about something or someone based on observation or experience. It suggests a subjective understanding rather than a concrete fact.

How can I use "got an impression" in a sentence?

You can use "got an impression" to describe a feeling or understanding you developed. For example: "I "got an impression" that the meeting would be longer than expected."

What are some alternatives to "got an impression"?

Some alternatives to "got an impression" include "formed an opinion", "gained a sense", or "received the impression", depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "received an impression" instead of "got an impression"?

Yes, "received an impression" is generally considered more formal than "got an impression". The latter is more common in informal conversation.