prevailing emotions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prevailing emotions" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the dominant or most common feelings in a particular situation or context. Example: "The prevailing emotions during the ceremony were a mix of joy and nostalgia as everyone reflected on the past."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 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

"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

In his account, Mr. Riess describes neither anger nor hatred, but shock and uncertainty as the prevailing emotions among those present.

Huffington Post

Fourth, the questionnaires were self-administered and thus could have been affected by respondents' prevailing emotions.

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

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

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

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

Though Lepage excelled in a number of offbeat roles, his chilly, internalised characterisations were out of step with the prevailing, emotive Method approach: "He was full of invention," says Jacques Lessard, his professor and co-founder of Thétre Repère, "But the reproach we were always throwing at him was: 'Use your emotions, Robert, use your emotions.' He was very shy of his inner life".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a scene or event, use "prevailing emotions" to effectively convey the overall atmosphere and how people are generally feeling. This can quickly set the tone and provide context for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "prevailing emotions" when describing a situation with diverse or conflicting feelings. If there isn't a clear, dominant emotion, consider a more nuanced description to avoid misrepresenting the emotional complexity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prevailing emotions" functions as a noun phrase, where 'prevailing' modifies 'emotions.' It specifies which emotions are most prominent or dominant in a given context. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prevailing emotions" is a grammatically correct and useful phrase for describing the dominant feelings in a particular context. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is versatile and can be used in various formal and informal settings. While not exceedingly common, it is frequently found in news and media, as well as scientific discourse. When using this phrase, ensure that the emotions described are genuinely the most widespread or noticeable to accurately depict the situation's emotional atmosphere.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dominant emotions

Emphasizes the controlling or most powerful emotions.

predominant feelings

Indicates the most noticeable or influential feelings.

overriding sentiments

Stresses the sentiments that take precedence over others.

ruling emotions

Suggests emotions that are in control or have authority.

common feelings

Focuses on the feelings that are widely experienced.

collective emotional state

Emphasizes a shared emotional experience.

general sentiment

Highlights the overall attitude or feeling.

current mood

Highlights the existing emotional state.

atmosphere of feeling

Describes the emotional environment.

ambient emotions

Like the atmosphere of feeling but sounds more figurative and poetic.

FAQs

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

Use "prevailing emotions" to describe the most noticeable or dominant feelings experienced in a specific context or by a group. For example, "The prevailing emotions at the funeral were sadness and grief."

What are some alternatives to "prevailing emotions"?

You can use alternatives like "dominant emotions", "common feelings", or "general sentiment" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "prevailing emotion" instead of "prevailing emotions"?

While "prevailing emotion" can be correct, it implies that there is only one dominant emotion. "Prevailing emotions" is more appropriate when describing a mix of feelings that are all common or dominant.

What's the difference between "prevailing emotions" and "underlying emotions"?

"Prevailing emotions" refer to the emotions that are most apparent or obvious in a situation. "Underlying emotions", on the other hand, are the deeper, less visible feelings that may be influencing people's behavior or attitudes.