had the impression that

USAGE SUMMARY

"had the impression that" is correct and usable in written English.
This construction can be used when describing an impression one had or to introduce a statement of opinion. For example, "I had the impression that the meeting had gone well, but my colleague informed me otherwise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I had the impression that..

The New Yorker

I had the impression that his dad built shopping malls.

The New Yorker

I had the impression that the director was crying.

The New Yorker

One had the impression that everything was song.

The New York Times

BAZILEVSKY: Yes; I had the impression that he referred to Von Schwetz.

Yale University

We had the impression that this was more true for articles in basic compared with clinical science.

Journal of Clinical Epidemiology

Mr. Davis said he had the impression that "things were pretty shaky" with the investments.

The New York Times

"It was being lawyered, and you had the impression that things were under control".

The New York Times

"I had the impression that I had done this all my life".

The New York Times

But I never had the impression that she yearned to be inside it.

The New York Times - Arts

"One had the impression that Lorna was terrified of him," she said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had the impression that" to introduce a subjective observation or belief that may not be based on concrete evidence. It's useful when you want to convey a sense of personal interpretation.

Common error

Avoid presenting an impression as an absolute truth. Qualify the statement with words like "seemed" or "appeared" to maintain accuracy and avoid misleading the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had the impression that" functions as a clause introducer, presenting a subjective assessment or belief. It sets the stage for expressing an opinion or interpretation based on one's perception. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the construction is valid in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

32%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had the impression that" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a subjective feeling, belief, or interpretation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, from news and media to scientific and academic writing. While the phrase is generally appropriate for both formal and informal settings, it’s important to present impressions as such, rather than as absolute facts. Alternatives like "felt that" or "believed that" can be used to fine-tune the intended nuance. This phrase appears most frequently in News & Media, Science and Academia, according to Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had the feeling that

Similar, with emphasis on emotion.

had the sense that

A slightly more vague or intuitive feeling.

left the impression that

Emphasizes the impact one thing had on forming an impression.

received the impression that

Highlights the act of getting the impression from an external source.

gave the impression that

Shifts focus to who or what caused the impression.

had the belief that

Highlights a held conviction rather than a fleeting impression.

had the view that

Indicates a considered opinion or perspective.

had the opinion that

Suggests a more formal and reasoned judgment.

had the sensation that

Focuses on a sensory or intuitive feeling.

had the understanding that

Conveys a sense of comprehension.

FAQs

How can I use "had the impression that" in a sentence?

Use "had the impression that" to introduce a subjective feeling or belief. For example, "I "had the impression that" the presentation was well-received, although the audience remained silent."

What can I say instead of "had the impression that"?

You can use alternatives like "felt that", "believed that", or "sensed that", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "had the impression that" or "gave the impression that"?

The choice depends on the focus. "Had the impression that" indicates a personal feeling, while "gave the impression that" suggests something caused that feeling. For example, "I "had the impression that" he was nervous" versus "He "gave the impression that" he was nervous."

How formal is the phrase "had the impression that"?

"Had the impression that" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It's a common and generally accepted way to express a subjective perception.