major sense

USAGE SUMMARY

"major sense" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe the main or most important sensory experience a person has, or to distinguish it from minor or lesser senses. Example: "The major sense I experienced while hiking in the mountains was the crisp, refreshing scent of pine needles."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Parties of 12 are walking in the door unannounced, brandishing a major sense of entitlement.

The New York Times

Pragmatically, however, the major sense of regionalism is derived from large towns, which form a centre for surrounding rural areas.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The main ganglia, or nerve centres, of the nervous system and the major sense organs are generally concentrated at the anterior end.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Just as in the UK, there is a major sense of insecurity and no satisfactory political or social solution in Germany.

The Guardian

"These were people who put whatever money they had into making their homes more comfortable, and there was a major sense of community.

The Guardian

The symbiotic relationship between the Olympic movement and the United States should give a major sense of empowerment to the two committees about to study the management fiasco of the U.S.O.C.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

We're taught in school that humans have five major senses (though in reality I'm told there are many more), and if mindfulness means being fully aware of the world around you, fully engaged with your senses, then I can think of no better task than gardening to become more mindful, for what keen gardener has not closed their eyes and bent down to inhale the gentle fragrance of a flower?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Corresponding to the outer and inner loop distinction there are also two major senses of adaptivity.

Smart Learning Environments

'Intelligent tutoring systems' section leverages a key distinction ("inner loop" vs "outer loop") in ITS in order to discuss two major senses of adaptivity in learning systems.

Smart Learning Environments

In the first, abstract representations of the target behaviour are elicited and incorporated into subconscious priming stimuli for each of the major senses: sight, hearing, touch, and smell.

Design Studies

In this article the characteristics of olfactory consciousness, viewed from the standpoint of the phenomenal (P /access (A) distinction, are examined relative to the major senses.

Consciousness and Cognition

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "major sense", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you're referring to a sensory experience or a general feeling/understanding. For example, specify "major sense of sight" if referring to vision.

Common error

Avoid using "major sense" ambiguously; clarify whether you are referring to a physical sense (sight, hearing, etc.) or a general understanding. Otherwise, your meaning may be unclear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "major sense" functions as a noun phrase, where "major" modifies the noun "sense". According to Ludwig, it is generally considered correct. It typically describes a primary or significant feeling, sensation, or understanding.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

33.3%

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

16.7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "major sense" is a versatile expression used to describe a dominant sensory experience or a significant feeling or understanding. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness. Appearing frequently in news, media, science and encyclopedia contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse writing styles. While alternatives like "primary sensation" or ""strong sense"" may offer more specificity, "major sense" remains a valuable tool for emphasizing importance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primary sensation

Focuses on the sensation being the main one experienced.

chief feeling

Highlights the feeling as being the most prominent.

principal perception

Emphasizes the perception as the main one.

overriding impression

Stresses that the impression is the most dominant.

dominant awareness

Focuses on awareness being the most noticeable.

strong sense

Emphasizes the intensity of the feeling.

key understanding

Highlights the importance of understanding.

main sentiment

Highlights the sentiment being the most important.

central idea

Focuses on the idea being the core concept.

core feeling

Implies the feeling is the fundamental emotion.

FAQs

How can I use "major sense" in a sentence?

You can use "major sense" to describe a primary sensory experience, as in, "Vision is the bird's "major sense"." It can also refer to an overriding feeling or understanding, like, "There was a "major sense" of community."

What's a good alternative to "major sense" when referring to a feeling?

When describing a feeling or understanding, consider alternatives like "strong sense", "overriding impression", or "chief feeling" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "major sense" formal or informal language?

"Major sense" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, though the specific situation might favor a more descriptive alternative. Its versatility is reflected in its use across news media, scientific publications, and encyclopedias.

When might "primary sensation" be a better choice than "major sense"?

Use "primary sensation" when you want to specifically emphasize that a particular sense is the main one being experienced, especially in scientific or technical contexts. "Major sense" is a more general term.