sense of familiarity

USAGE SUMMARY

"sense of familiarity" is an appropriate phrase to use in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the feeling of being familiar with something or someone. For example: She felt a sense of familiarity when she entered the room.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Droid2 inspires a sense of familiarity.

The New York Times

It also gives the car a sense of familiarity.

The New York Times

The outrage is really over a threatened sense of familiarity.

The Guardian - Sport

Sadly, I was far from home, and my sense of familiarity came from Bea Arthur.

The New York Times

It felt thrilling to feel a real sense of familiarity with the characters on the page.

The Economist

I understand the heartland's affection for guns, and I share that sense of familiarity.

The New York Times

There is a sense of familiarity in the works but also a sense of unfamiliarity.

The New York Times

This evening, the candidates were not just up against a sense of familiarity.

The New York Times

Unlike most people, however, Walsh felt a troubled sense of familiarity, a connection, with the story.

The Guardian

When we reach the festival's main hub I get an overwhelming sense of familiarity.

The Guardian - Travel

Everything is strange, but you can feel most people actively reclaiming a sense of familiarity.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sense of familiarity" when you want to convey a comfortable recognition or understanding of something, such as a place, person, or concept. It's particularly effective when describing emotional responses to new or changing environments.

Common error

While "sense of familiarity" is widely accepted, avoid overusing it in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise language that specifies the type of recognition or understanding involved. For instance, use "established rapport", "prior knowledge", or "recognized pattern" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sense of familiarity" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a subjective experience or feeling of recognition and comfort. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage and acceptability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

28%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sense of familiarity" is a commonly used noun phrase that describes a feeling of recognition and comfort. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely accepted across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources. While versatile, writers should be mindful of overuse in formal writing, opting for more precise alternatives when necessary. Related phrases include "feeling of recognition", "air of acquaintance", and "comfort of the known", each offering slightly different nuances. Remember to use "sense of familiarity" when describing emotional responses to people, places, or concepts, ensuring clarity and impact in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feeling of recognition

Focuses more on the cognitive aspect of recognizing something.

feeling of recognition

Replaces "sense" with "feeling", emphasizing the emotional aspect.

air of acquaintance

Suggests a slight or superficial level of familiarity.

hint of recognition

Implies a subtle or vague feeling of familiarity.

echo of past experience

Connects the familiarity to previous experiences.

undertone of recognition

Suggests a subtle or implicit familiarity.

resonance of prior knowledge

Highlights the connection to existing knowledge.

feeling of belonging

Emphasizes the sense of being part of something known.

comfort of the known

Highlights the comforting aspect of what is familiar.

ease of recognition

Focuses on how easy is to recognise something.

FAQs

How can I use "sense of familiarity" in a sentence?

You can use "sense of familiarity" to describe a feeling of recognition or comfort with something. For example, "The old house gave her a "sense of familiarity"."

What's a more formal alternative to "sense of familiarity"?

In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "established rapport", "prior knowledge", or "recognized pattern" for a more precise expression. The choice depends on the specific aspect of familiarity you want to emphasize.

Is "feeling of familiarity" the same as "sense of familiarity"?

"Feeling of familiarity" is very similar to "sense of familiarity". Both describe a recognition or comfort, but "feeling" emphasizes the emotional aspect more directly. In most cases, they are interchangeable.

What evokes a "sense of familiarity"?

A "sense of familiarity" can be evoked by various things, such as past experiences, familiar places, or recognized patterns. The key is the feeling of recognition and comfort associated with something known or previously encountered.