having the impression that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "having the impression that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a belief or perception about something, often based on limited information or intuition. Example: "I have the impression that the meeting will be postponed due to scheduling conflicts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"I felt that he has understood better than most people what I want to do, but not as an imitator," Mr. Brendel added".I am grateful that I could hear myself without having the impression that I had been stolen".

The New York Times - Arts

Raff disagreed, having the impression that Liszt wanted him on equal terms as a full collaborator.

Wikipedia

This results in most Quebecers having the impression that slavery and racism in the nineteenth century was not a Canadian problem, but rather an American one.

Vice

Wiggs recalls offering to be involved if Deal's next album was going to be a Breeders record, but having the impression that Deal wanted to do a solo release; Deal remembers Wiggs declining to be part of any immediate Breeders' recording, but offering to be on the one after that.

Wikipedia

Women are restricted from taking alcohol because once a woman starts taking it, the society will start having the impression that 'look you are getting out of your bound'.

BMC Public Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

People have the impression that burglaries have fallen.

The New Yorker

I had the impression that the director was crying.

The New Yorker

I had the impression that his dad built shopping malls.

The New Yorker

They have the impression that I speak for them".

The Guardian - Music

I suddenly had the impression that I had forgotten something, some incident or important word.

The New Yorker

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

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "having the impression that" with adverbs like 'strongly', 'vaguely', or 'definitely' to modulate the strength of your belief.

Common error

Avoid using "having the impression that" when you possess concrete evidence. This phrase implies a degree of uncertainty, so choose stronger language if certainty exists.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "having the impression that" functions as a hedge, softening the assertion and indicating a subjective assessment rather than an objective fact. Ludwig AI validates its usability in expressing tentative beliefs.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "having the impression that" serves as a nuanced way to express beliefs or understandings based on subjective observations or limited evidence. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically correct and usable, although relatively rare. The phrase is most frequently encountered in News & Media, Wiki, and Science contexts, and the authoritative sources indicate its acceptance in reputable publications. While versatile, avoid using it when you possess definitive proof; opt for stronger assertions in such scenarios. Alternatives like "having the feeling that" and "it seemed that" offer similar but slightly different shades of meaning. Mastering this phrase enhances your ability to communicate with precision, acknowledging uncertainty where appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

having the feeling that

Focuses on the emotional aspect of forming a belief, rather than a purely intellectual one.

under the impression that

Suggests a possible misunderstanding or incorrect belief.

with the understanding that

Indicates a mutual agreement or assumption about something.

it seemed that

Offers a more detached observation, implying less personal investment in the belief.

it appeared that

Focuses on visual evidence or outward appearances as the basis for a belief.

I gathered that

Implies that the belief was formed through indirect evidence or inference.

I sensed that

Suggests an intuitive or non-verbal understanding.

I surmised that

Indicates a reasoned guess based on incomplete information.

I concluded that

Implicates a more logical and formal reasoning process.

I inferred that

Emphasizes the drawing of a conclusion from evidence and reasoning.

FAQs

What does "having the impression that" mean?

The phrase "having the impression that" means forming a belief or understanding based on subjective observation or limited information. It suggests a tentative conclusion rather than absolute certainty.

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

You can use "having the impression that" to express a belief or understanding. For example, "I'm "having the impression that" the project is behind schedule due to unforeseen challenges."

What are some alternatives to "having the impression that"?

Alternatives to "having the impression that" include "having the feeling that", "under the impression that", or "it seemed that".

When is it appropriate to use "having the impression that" vs. "knowing that"?

"Having the impression that" is suitable when you have a belief based on limited evidence, while "knowing that" implies a higher degree of certainty supported by concrete facts.