passing emotion

USAGE SUMMARY

"passing emotion" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe emotions that are experienced briefly or quickly. For example, "He hesitated for a moment, his features flickering with a passing emotion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The painter aims, rather, to capture the often fleeting—"life" (Lebendigkeit) of things: "the lustre of metal, the shimmer of a bunch of grapes by candlelight, a vanishing glimpse of the moon or the sun, a smile, the expression of a swiftly passing emotion" (Aesthetics, 1: 599).

SEP

They wondered if they were experiencing a passing emotion from a traumatic event.

The New York Times

According to researchers, the full experience of gratitude is more than a passing emotion.

HuffPost

It's where the whole magic of the thing comes from; that single moment when a character, story or passing emotion seems ripped straight from the pages of your own soul.

Vice

Of course, I did get angry occasionally with some of the things they did, but anger as a passing emotion is quite different from the feeling of sustained hatred or hostility".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

He insisted to the end that a historian need not be "a monastic scholar, austerely removed from the passing emotions and conflicts of his own day". That put him at odds with many in his profession.

The Washington Post

You could hear the capital letters in his voice – they are, for him, what passes emotion.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It's like we had the ability to pass emotion between each other without talking," Richard said.

The New York Times - Health

But as the long winter's night passes, emotions improve, and those same areas of the country are rewarded with an even longer polar day 73 days during which the sun never fully sets.

Forbes

Time passes, emotions cool, and the public and the media move on.

Huffington Post

I scoured every frame of that thing for ear steam, or misty or fear-widened eyes, and found nothing that could pass for emotion.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character's reaction in a narrative, use "passing emotion" to convey a subtle, fleeting change in their expression or demeanor. This adds depth and realism without dwelling on a single feeling.

Common error

Avoid using "passing emotion" to dismiss or downplay genuine emotional responses. While it denotes transience, it shouldn't undermine the significance of a character's feelings within the given context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "passing emotion" functions primarily as a descriptive element, typically modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a transient emotional state. This is supported by Ludwig, which identifies the phrase's grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

25%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "passing emotion" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that effectively describes a fleeting or temporary feeling. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides various examples of its use in reputable sources. While not extremely common, it appears frequently in news and media contexts. Consider using alternatives like ""fleeting feeling"" or ""transient emotion"" for similar meaning. Avoid overusing the phrase to ensure your writing remains dynamic and engaging.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fleeting feeling

Replaces 'emotion' with 'feeling' and 'passing' with 'fleeting', both emphasizing the short duration.

transient emotion

Substitutes 'passing' with 'transient', highlighting the temporary nature of the emotion.

momentary feeling

Uses 'momentary' instead of 'passing', focusing on the emotion's existence within a brief moment.

brief emotion

Replaces 'passing' with 'brief', directly indicating the short duration of the emotion.

short-lived emotion

Emphasizes the temporary nature of the emotion by using the compound adjective 'short-lived'.

ephemeral feeling

Uses 'ephemeral' to suggest that the feeling is not only brief but also delicate and easily forgotten.

temporary emotion

Directly states that the emotion is not permanent, using the word 'temporary'.

fleeting sensation

Combines 'fleeting', emphasizing brevity, with 'sensation', which can refer to a physical or emotional experience.

transient sensation

Combines 'transient' with 'sensation', focusing on the temporary nature of a sensory or emotional experience.

quick emotion

Uses "quick" as a more simple way to express the speed of emotion.

FAQs

How can I use "passing emotion" in a sentence?

Use "passing emotion" to describe a feeling that is experienced briefly or quickly. For example: "He hesitated for a moment, his features flickering with a passing emotion".

What is another way to say "passing emotion"?

You can use alternatives like "fleeting feeling", "transient emotion", or "momentary feeling" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "passing emotion" the same as "deep-seated emotion"?

No, "passing emotion" refers to a fleeting or temporary feeling, while "deep-seated emotion" describes a long-lasting and profound emotional state.

When is it appropriate to use "passing emotion" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to describe a brief or subtle emotional reaction, such as a flicker of sadness or a momentary flash of anger.