outer expression

USAGE SUMMARY

"outer expression" is a valid phrase that can be used in written English.
One possible use of the phrase could be in the context of describing body language or nonverbal communication. For example: "Her outer expression betrayed her true feelings as she clenched her fists and avoided eye contact." In this sentence, "outer expression" refers to the physical manifestation of someone's emotions, rather than their spoken words or inner thoughts.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

This was travel as a quest, as "an outer expression of my inner journey".

The Guardian - Books

Recent photos of Woody Allen and President Clinton testify that Newman has lost none of his skill for apprehending an inner mood with an outer expression.

The New York Times - Books

Despite the bloody killing of a deer in the wild, the animal gets gutted invisibly, and, though the family's larders are filled with homemade goods, there's no sense of the sheer drudgery of rustic survival; nobody has any more inner life or outer expression of it than the plot requires.

The New Yorker

For while, as in all of Wright's buildings, the interior and exterior are conceived as organically one, in this case the outer expression is mere "building" or "engineering," while Wright's special gifts and his sometimes defiant weaknesses as an architect do not come to life until one gains the interior.

The New Yorker

The mourning veil was often described as a means of shielding the mourner, and hiding her grief, though mourning dress was also a form of public display, viewed by some women as an outer expression of inner feelings".

BBC

Come to think of all those tools, I mean technology, and those technologies, how things are done, there have perhaps been more of those actual changes than in pedagogy, but the verbal, the outer expression is bigger in pedagogy (VET teacher of agriculture).

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

In his middle period, he sees descriptive psychology as the foundational approach for understanding lived experience, but subsequently emphasizes the hermeneutics or systematic interpretation of outer expressions of life, from politics and law to literature and architecture.

International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences

Diversion can be accomplished simply through the outer expressions of emotion by others.

SEP

Simply put, your inner and outer expressions start to match.

HuffPost

But I do know that the inner and outer expressions of gratitude grow easier with practice.

Huffington Post

Gostin invites speakers from consumer organizations to speak to her groups; Wallace uses psychotherapeutic techniques to encourage clients to identify inner feelings that lead to addictive and destructive outer expressions.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "outer expression" to describe how internal states or feelings are outwardly manifested, whether through behavior, appearance, or communication.

Common error

Avoid using "outer expression" to imply superficiality or a lack of depth. The phrase should focus on the genuine outward manifestation of internal states, not on artificial displays.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "outer expression" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig provides examples where it describes the visible or perceptible manifestation of internal states. It highlights how inner feelings, thoughts, or characteristics are communicated outwardly.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "outer expression" effectively captures the idea of how internal thoughts and feelings become manifest in outward behavior, appearance, or communication. Ludwig highlights that it's a grammatically correct and understandable phrase used across diverse contexts, including news, science, and art. While not exceptionally common, it serves a valuable purpose in describing the relationship between our inner selves and how we present ourselves to the world. Remember, as Ludwig AI also pointed out, it's best used to focus on genuine manifestations, avoiding implications of superficiality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

external manifestation

Focuses on the outward display of something internal, like a feeling or idea, emphasizing the act of showing.

outward display

Emphasizes the visible presentation or demonstration of something.

visible manifestation

Highlights the observable and tangible aspect of an internal state or concept.

external representation

Focuses on how something is portrayed or symbolized externally.

behavioral manifestation

Highlights the link between internal states and observable behaviors.

public demeanor

Refers to the way someone conducts themselves in public, especially regarding their attitude or behavior.

facial expression

Specifically pertains to emotions or thoughts conveyed through the face.

body language

Relates to nonverbal communication through physical movements and gestures.

manner of presentation

Focuses on the style or way something is presented to others.

overt communication

Highlights communication that is explicit and openly expressed.

FAQs

How can I use "outer expression" in a sentence?

You can use "outer expression" to describe how someone's inner feelings or thoughts are manifested outwardly. For example, "His calm "outer expression" hid his inner turmoil."

What's a good substitute for "outer expression"?

Alternatives include "external manifestation", "outward display", or "visible manifestation", depending on the context.

Is it more accurate to say "outer expression" or "inner expression"?

The choice depends on what you're describing. "Outer expression" refers to the outward manifestation of internal feelings, while "inner expression" isn't a common phrase and would need more context to be understood.

How does "outer expression" relate to body language?

"Outer expression" can encompass body language as one form of outward communication. Body language is a specific type of "behavioral manifestation" that falls under the broader category of "outer expression".