perceiving

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'perceiving' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about understanding, noticing, or becoming aware of something. For example, "I am perceiving a change in the atmosphere of the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

These intentions affect the perceiver powerfully, such as the negative feelings a sheep senses in perceiving a wolf, or the positive feelings sensed in perceiving a friend or child.[31] Avicenna does not limit wahm to animals, as Averroes later assumed,[32] but rather conceived it broadly, affecting logical as well as physical subjects.

SEP

Made of black rubber, it is, according to Salto "an attempt to create [an] intelligent infrastructure that is emotional and corresponds to the local context, giving the user a different experience of moving and perceiving the environment".

The Guardian - Arts

When the film premiered at the Cannes film festival – where it was a huge critical success – the police on duty turned their backs on Kassovitz and his crew, perceiving the film as an anti-police polemic.

The Guardian - Film

Prices may fall further as younger people, perceiving a downturn, delay purchasing.This phenomenon will unfold differently across the country.

The Economist

Annie Lowrey posts a long, frustrating passage in which FOMC members seem incapable of perceiving that the ratio of rents to home prices has moved well out of normal territory.

The Economist

An omnivorous reader, he described a subtle feeling of alienation, as though he was perceiving the world of canonised letters with his nose against the glass.

The Economist

Perceiving the Georgian side to be engaging in fresh aggression, the Abkhaz authorities have announced they will not travel to Berlin for talks with Georgian representatives.

The Economist

But in that it provides a new way of perceiving the world, it may yet form the basis of a useful new tool.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

For the Oxonians and the Brentanians one knows that p only if one 'apprehends' that p. As Kevin Mulligan put it: "one knows that p in the strict sense only if one has perceived that p and such perceiving is not itself any sort of belief or judging" (Mulligan 2014, 382).

SEP

There is nothing common between the two truths, and if they are both ways of perceiving, then they do not perceive the same thing.

SEP

An object's particular arrangement of triangles produces a particular kind of "disturbance" or "experience" (pathos) in the perceiving subject, so that the object is perceived as having this or that perceptible property.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "perceiving", consider the specific sense or cognitive process you want to emphasize. For sensory experiences, "sensing" or "noticing" might be more appropriate. For cognitive understanding, "understanding" or "realizing" could be better choices.

Common error

While "perceiving" is a valid word, overuse in informal contexts can sound overly formal. In casual conversation or less formal writing, consider using more common alternatives like "seeing", "noticing", or "realizing" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "perceiving" is as a present participle or gerund. As a participle, it often forms part of a continuous verb tense. As a gerund, it functions as a noun, as seen in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

6%

Social Media

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "perceiving" is a grammatically correct and versatile word used to describe the process of becoming aware of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used in both academic and news contexts. While generally appropriate, consider the specific context and audience when choosing between "perceiving" and its alternatives like "understanding" or "sensing", particularly in informal settings. Overusing "perceiving" can sound overly formal, so it's important to select the most appropriate word for the specific situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

understanding

This term focuses on the cognitive aspect of grasping meaning or significance.

sensing

This alternative emphasizes the use of senses to become aware of something.

noticing

This highlights the act of becoming aware of something, often subtly.

detecting

Implies discovering something not immediately obvious.

recognizing

Focuses on identifying something previously known or encountered.

observing

Suggests a careful and deliberate act of watching or noting.

becoming aware of

A more descriptive phrase indicating the gradual realization of something.

realizing

Highlights the moment of understanding or comprehension.

interpreting

Focuses on assigning meaning or significance to something observed.

ascertaining

Implies finding something out for certain.

FAQs

How to use "perceiving" in a sentence?

"Perceiving" is used to describe the act of becoming aware of something through the senses or through cognitive understanding. For example, "She is "perceiving" a change in the atmosphere" or "They are "perceiving" the situation differently".

What can I say instead of "perceiving"?

You can use alternatives like "understanding", "sensing", "noticing", or "recognizing" depending on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "perceiving" formal or informal?

"Perceiving" tends to be more formal than alternatives like "seeing" or "noticing". While appropriate in academic or professional writing, it might sound overly stiff in casual conversation. Consider the audience and context when choosing between ""perceiving"" and less formal options.

What's the difference between "perceiving" and "sensing"?

"Perceiving" encompasses both sensory awareness and cognitive understanding, while "sensing" typically refers specifically to becoming aware through the physical senses. You might "sense" a change in temperature, but "perceive" the underlying cause of the change.