got the sense

USAGE SUMMARY

'got the sense' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that you came to understand. For example, "After listening to his story, I got the sense that he was struggling with feelings of loneliness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

You got the sense she was serious.

Independent

You got the sense he was sincere.

The New York Times

"I got the sense he had found his purpose".

The New Yorker

"I got the sense that it was not," Warthen said.

The New York Times - Sports

Mickum said, "I got the sense he was very serious".

The New Yorker

We just got the sense of deep poverty.

The Guardian

"I've got the sense that I'm safe here," she said.

The New York Times

I always got the sense but not necessarily the sensibility.

The New York Times

And I got the sense that he was worried about saying it himself.

The New York Times

After we'd circled a few times you got the sense things weren't quite right.

Independent

"You got the sense that even there, people in New York were scared".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "got the sense" with specific details to provide context and clarity. For example, "From his evasive answers, I got the sense he was lying."

Common error

Avoid using "got the sense" when you have concrete evidence or definitive knowledge. It's best suited for situations where your understanding is based on intuition or subtle cues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "got the sense" functions as a verb phrase indicating an intuitive understanding or impression. As Ludwig examples demonstrate, it's frequently used to convey a feeling not based on concrete evidence. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "got the sense" is a commonly used phrase to express an intuitive understanding or impression, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It's grammatically correct and versatile, fitting into both professional and informal communication. The phrase is prevalent in news and media, with a neutral register. While alternatives like "had the impression" or "understood" exist, "got the sense" provides a specific nuance indicating an inferred or sensed understanding rather than a definitive one. Ludwig's examples showcase a variety of contexts where this phrase is effectively employed, solidifying its place in everyday English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had the impression

Focuses more directly on the impression received, rather than the process of understanding.

formed the opinion

Suggests a more deliberate and conscious formation of an opinion.

understood

A direct synonym, emphasizing comprehension rather than intuition.

inferred

Implies a logical deduction based on available information.

gathered

Suggests collecting information to form an understanding.

deduced

Emphasizes a logical conclusion based on evidence.

surmised

Indicates a guess or conjecture based on limited evidence.

perceived

Focuses on sensory or intuitive awareness.

believed

Expresses a conviction or acceptance of something as true.

suspected

Implies a feeling of doubt or mistrust.

FAQs

How can I use "got the sense" in a sentence?

You can use "got the sense" to express an intuition or feeling about something. For example, "I "got the sense" that the meeting was going to be difficult."

What are some alternatives to "got the sense"?

You can use alternatives like "had the impression", "formed the opinion", or "understood" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "I understood" instead of "I got the sense"?

"I understood" is generally more direct and can be considered more formal, whereas "I "got the sense"" implies a more intuitive or inferred understanding.

What's the difference between "got the sense" and "got the feeling"?

"Got the sense" typically refers to an intellectual understanding or impression, while "got the feeling" often describes an emotional or instinctive response. They are closely related but emphasize different aspects of perception.