overall sense

USAGE SUMMARY

"overall sense" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It refers to the general or overall feeling or impression conveyed by something. Example: The letter was filled with technical jargon, making it difficult to understand, but the overall sense was that the company was experiencing financial difficulties.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

So my overall sense is buoyant.

The New York Times

The overall sense is of someone exploring their own freedom.

The Guardian - Music

"They're not bad in the overall sense of the word.

The New York Times

Its overall sense of the filmmaker's self-importance certainly jibes with that impression.

The New York Times - Books

There's an irascible, attractive hothead radicalism, and an overall sense of bounding warmth.

The New York Times - Books

The overall sense of the performance is one of uneasy rest, weary acceptance.

The New York Times - Arts

The catastrophe came into view before I had an overall sense of the story.

The Guardian - Books

"There wasn't an overall sense that something within SUNY was broken," Mr. King said.

The New York Times

But even though she played well, you had little overall sense of her as a musician.

The New York Times - Arts

Still, his overall sense was that the law was improving governance.

The New York Times

Select some to read aloud or give the class an overall sense of what they contained.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, follow "overall sense" with a concise explanation of what contributes to that impression. This provides context and strengthens the meaning.

Common error

Avoid pairing "overall sense" with overly vague qualifiers like "pretty good" or "sort of negative". Instead, aim for specific descriptions that accurately reflect the underlying impression. Be direct and precise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overall sense" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a general impression, feeling, or understanding derived from considering various factors. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "overall sense" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase that conveys a general impression or understanding. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound. Analysis of its usage reveals that it is common across various domains, including news, science, and business, with the New York Times and The Guardian being prominent sources. While versatile, writers should avoid redundancy by using it with specific and descriptive language. Alternative phrases such as "general impression" or "holistic view" can be used depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

general feeling

Focuses more on the emotional aspect of an impression.

general impression

Focuses on the feeling or idea one gets from something.

comprehensive understanding

Highlights a thorough and complete grasp of a subject.

complete picture

Highlights the comprehensive nature of the view.

holistic view

Emphasizes considering the whole picture rather than individual parts.

global perspective

Highlights a broad view that encompasses many aspects.

big picture

An idiom that refers to understanding the context of something

prevailing sentiment

Refers to the dominant feeling or attitude in a group.

overarching theme

Emphasizes the central and unifying idea.

collective consciousness

Refers to the shared beliefs and attitudes of a group.

FAQs

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

You can use "overall sense" to describe a general feeling or impression. For example, "The overall sense of the meeting was positive" or "After reading the report, my overall sense was that the project was on track".

What's a good alternative to "overall sense"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "overall sense" include "general impression", "holistic view", or "comprehensive understanding".

Is it redundant to say "overall general sense"?

Yes, "overall general sense" is redundant. The word "overall" already implies a general view, so using "general" in addition is unnecessary. Stick to "overall sense" for clarity and conciseness.

What does "overall sense" mean in a business context?

In a business context, "overall sense" typically refers to a general assessment or understanding of a company's performance, market position, or project status. It's the impression one gets after considering all relevant factors.