refined sense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "refined sense" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It typically refers to a heightened or developed ability to understand or perceive something. Example: "His refined sense of taste allowed him to discern the subtle flavors in the gourmet dish."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

The daguerreotype shown here exactly reproduces both Ingres's near-photographic realism and his highly refined sense of abstraction.

The New York Times - Arts

His humor was mordant, with a refined sense of the absurd, but never cruel.

The New Yorker

By Jeffrey Toobin A government censor rarely displays a highly refined sense of irony.

The New Yorker

Although Berlin could turn a phrase, he lacked Gershwin's refined sense of satire and verbal friskiness.

The New York Times - Books

Both the restaurant and the rooms reflect a refined sense of taste.

The Guardian - Travel

Being sceptical about patriotism is a part of patriotism – a refined sense of patriotism, I think.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

We unconsciously filter out the crap in people's speech to refine sense and meaning.

The Guardian - Books

"It has refined our sense of the collection," said Thelma Golden, the museum's director.

The New York Times - Arts

Since leaving office, I have refined my sense about the importance of the mix between government action, the creation and expansion of markets, and the importance of those two levers working together.

Forbes

The history of contemporary developments of causal theories of mental content consists largely of specifying what it is for something to be causally implicated in the right way in the production of meaning and refining the sense in which smoke represents fire to the sense in which a person's thoughts, sometimes at least, represent the world.

SEP

Refinement of cultural philosophies is to be expected, of course: postmodernism, which at its inception faced just as much criticism from the arts community as has metamodernism thus far, is still refining its sense of itself -- and those who work in and through it are still refining their sense of themselves as "postmodernists" -- even today.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "refined sense" when describing a specific skill or ability that has been developed through experience or training.

Common error

Avoid using "refined sense" to describe basic or innate abilities. It's more appropriate for skills that require cultivation and practice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refined sense" functions as a noun phrase, with "refined" acting as an adjective modifying the noun "sense". It describes a specific quality or characteristic. As Ludwig AI shows, this is a common expression in diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

11%

Science

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "refined sense" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to describe a heightened ability to perceive, understand, or appreciate something. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is appropriate for many situations and used across diverse sources. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, academia, and science. When aiming for precision, consider alternatives such as "sophisticated sensibility", "acute perception", or "cultivated taste" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. However, always aim to describe abilities that are cultivated and not inborn.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sophisticated sensibility

Replaces "sense" with "sensibility", emphasizing a developed emotional understanding.

nuanced perception

Focuses on perceiving subtle variations.

acute perception

Highlights the sharpness and keenness of understanding.

heightened sensitivity

Emphasizes an increased ability to perceive subtle nuances.

advanced discernment

Highlights the ability to perceive subtle differences.

developed awareness

Focuses on the improved state of being conscious or informed.

discriminating judgment

Focuses on the ability to make fine distinctions and evaluations.

subtle appreciation

Emphasizes a delicate and nuanced understanding.

polished understanding

Suggests a comprehensive and well-honed comprehension.

cultivated taste

Refers specifically to a refined appreciation in aesthetic matters.

FAQs

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

You can use "refined sense" to describe a heightened ability or skill, for example, "The chef's refined sense of taste allowed him to create unique flavor combinations."

What are some alternatives to "refined sense"?

You can use alternatives such as "sophisticated sensibility", "acute perception", or "cultivated taste depending on the context.

What does it mean to have a "refined sense" of something?

Having a "refined sense" implies a developed and heightened ability to understand or perceive something, often through experience or training.

Is it better to say "refined sense" or "good sense"?

While both are correct, "refined sense" suggests a higher degree of development and sophistication compared to the more general "good sense".