prevailing emotion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prevailing emotion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the dominant or most prominent feeling in a particular situation or context. Example: "The prevailing emotion in the room was one of sadness as they remembered their lost friend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

But Liberia is not Somalia: anyone with the mud of both countries on their boots knows that in contrast to Somali hostility, the prevailing emotion in Liberia toward Americans is affection.

The New York Times

The result is that our prevailing emotion, as they are picked off one by one, veers away from grief toward a sniggering delight, and "Cloverfield" should really be approached as a fireworks display of cunning, spasmodic fun.

The New Yorker

When the market crashes, the prevailing emotion swings from greed to fear.

HuffPost

7. The bottom is a scary place When the market crashes, the prevailing emotion swings from greed to fear.

Huffington Post

If these intentions seem to be in conflict, so be it — for conflict remains, as it should, the prevailing emotion stirred by the Holocaust, not least the conflict that something so inhuman could have been invented by human beings.

Los Angeles Times

His prevailing emotion, though, is pride.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

In his autobiographical novel, "It's Me, Eddie," contempt and self-pity are the prevailing emotions.

The New Yorker

In the networks' post-debate wrap-ups, the prevailing emotions seemed to be exhaustion, and sadness.

The New Yorker

The prevailing emotions: disbelief that the building will disappear and force graffiti artists back underground, and outrage that street art is again being censored.

The New York Times

"As a father I'd love to convey my understanding of the prevailing emotions of distress and anguish amongst both Peter and the whole family," he wrote.

The Guardian

In the past, the prevailing emotions during a divorce were usually sadness and regret.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "prevailing emotion" to describe the most noticeable or dominant feeling in a specific context. For instance, "The prevailing emotion after the announcement was relief."

Common error

Avoid using "prevailing emotion" when a simpler word like "feeling" or "mood" would suffice, especially in informal contexts. Overusing it can make your writing sound stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prevailing emotion" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies the most prominent or noticeable feeling in a particular situation. Ludwig AI confirms the usage examples show it describing feelings in various scenarios.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

10%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prevailing emotion" is a useful phrase for identifying the most dominant feeling in a specific situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "dominant sentiment" or "overriding feeling" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. When using this phrase, ensure that it appropriately captures the primary feeling being expressed without sounding overly dramatic. It's versatile enough for formal and neutral contexts, but should be used judiciously in more informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dominant sentiment

Replaces "emotion" with "sentiment" to emphasize a thought-out opinion or feeling, which is a more formal nuance.

overriding feeling

Substitutes "prevailing" with "overriding" to highlight the intensity and power of the emotion.

chief sentiment

Replaces "prevailing" with "chief", indicating the main or most important feeling.

predominant emotion

Uses "predominant" instead of "prevailing" to stress the emotion's superior influence.

general feeling

Offers a more general and less intense version, suitable for less emphatic contexts.

common sentiment

Highlights that the emotion is shared widely within a group or population.

main emotion

Simplifies the phrase to emphasize the primary emotion experienced or observed.

pervasive feeling

Highlights how widespread or diffused the feeling is.

ambient mood

Shifts the focus to the atmosphere or mood created by the emotion, rather than the emotion itself.

reigning feeling

Suggests the emotion is currently in control or dominant, often in a transient or situational way.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "prevailing emotion" in a sentence?

Use "prevailing emotion" to describe the most dominant feeling experienced by a group of people or within a specific environment. For example, "The "prevailing emotion" at the funeral was grief".

What are some alternatives to "prevailing emotion"?

Depending on the context, you could use "dominant sentiment", "overriding feeling", or "chief sentiment". These alternatives offer slightly different nuances in meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "prevailing emotion" in formal writing?

Yes, "prevailing emotion" is suitable for formal writing. It's a clear and professional way to describe the dominant feeling in a situation. However, consider the specific context and whether a simpler term might be more effective.

What's the difference between "prevailing emotion" and "general mood"?

"Prevailing emotion" refers to a specific, dominant feeling, while "general mood" describes a more diffuse, overall atmosphere. "Prevailing emotion" is more focused on a particular emotion being experienced.