sensations

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'sensations' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to physical feelings or strong emotional feelings. For example: "The emotions and sensations he felt when he saw her after so many years were overwhelming."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Accept the sensations as they arise, no craving and no aversion, they will pass," he keeps saying.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Heavier sensations dissolve from the body and awareness sharpens.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There could be bad blood between the partners – even without the prospect of a showdown in what used to be a staple of byelection sensations, a Lib Dem-Conservative marginal.

The Guardian - Opinion

Some concluded that, during the REM phase, chemical messaging from the pons activated higher areas of the brain, prodding them to produce images and sensations, completely randomly.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mellow with sensations growing with food and wine.

The Guardian - Travel

As the practice deepens, my chaotic thoughts and emotions, memories fond and painful, yield all manner of sensations: pain in my joints, leaps in my chest, tingling behind my neck.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The discipline required to just observe the sensations as they happened, to not distract myself from them, to not run away, was enormous.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Mellow with sensations growing with food and wine... warm, slow, moving freckles of light on water".

The Guardian - Travel

"It's about experiencing the emotions, the sensations of running with the bulls – the fear.

The Guardian - Sport

"The purpose of Vipassana is not to experience pleasurable sensations but rather to develop equanimity towards all sensations," Goenka says.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

On the afternoon of the 10th day the silence is lifted and I try to speak to the others about their experiences, keen to find out if they had these glorious out-of-body sensations too.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing experiences, use "sensations" to specifically refer to physical or emotional feelings. For abstract or general references to awareness, consider "perceptions" or "feelings" instead.

Common error

Avoid using "sensations" when you actually mean "sentiments". "Sensations" refer to physical or immediate emotional feelings, while "sentiments" are more about considered opinions or beliefs. Using the wrong term can make your writing less precise.

Linguistic Context

The term "sensations" functions primarily as a plural noun. It denotes multiple instances of physical or emotional feelings. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is correctly used across a wide array of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

21%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sensations" is a grammatically correct and very common plural noun, employed to describe both physical and emotional feelings. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is readily usable. Its register varies from formal in academic contexts to neutral in news media. Usage is most frequent in News & Media sources, with Science and Formal & Business contexts also showing significant occurrence. Remember to differentiate "sensations" from "sentiments" for accurate and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

physical feelings

Focuses specifically on the bodily aspect of sensations.

emotional experiences

Highlights the emotional aspect of sensations.

bodily perceptions

Emphasizes the perception of physical sensations.

sensory impressions

Focuses on the impact of senses.

physiological responses

Highlights the body's reaction to stimuli.

sensory perceptions

Highlights the perception of sensory input.

tactile experiences

Specifically relates to the sense of touch.

awareness of feelings

Focuses on the conscious recognition of feelings.

feelings and emotions

Broadens the scope to include both feelings and emotions.

perceptual experiences

Emphasizes the experience of perceiving something.

FAQs

How can I use "sensations" in a sentence?

You can use "sensations" to describe physical or emotional feelings. For example, "The massage produced relaxing "sensations"" or "She experienced mixed "sensations" of excitement and nervousness before her performance".

What are some alternatives to using "sensations"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "sensations" include "feelings", "perceptions", "experiences", or "impressions".

Is it correct to use "sensations" to describe abstract concepts?

While "sensations" primarily refer to physical or emotional feelings, they can be used metaphorically to describe strong abstract experiences. However, it's generally clearer to use terms like "feelings" or "perceptions" for abstract concepts.

What's the difference between "sensations" and "feelings"?

"Sensations" often imply physical or immediate emotional experiences, whereas "feelings" can encompass a broader range of emotional states, including those that are more prolonged or complex. In many contexts, the terms are interchangeable.