sense of pressure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sense of pressure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the feeling of stress or urgency that someone experiences in a particular situation. Example: "During the final exams, I felt a strong sense of pressure to perform well."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Instead, it is more a sense of pressure or squeezing.

Harvard University

There was a sense of pressure in getting it right.

The Guardian

There is a sense of pressure and anxiety.

The Guardian - Books

Yet one would-be entrepreneur's inspiration is another's sense of pressure.

The New York Times - Tech

Sensors on the prosthetic's palm send information back to the brain, providing a sense of pressure.

The Washington Post

It adds to a sense of pressure as he takes his side to Fulham today.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

The level of the therapeutic pressure was reduced of 1 cm H2O in 2 patients for reported sense of excessive pressure.

BMC Pulmonary Medicine

There is a sense of police pressure on any nonconformist group".

Independent

When you read the accounts of his final months, you get a sense of building pressure, of a rising atmosphere of menace and doom.

The New York Times

After a thoroughgoing review of these attempts in late 2014, this year's season carried with it a sense of added pressure.

The Guardian

We have a sense of immense pressure to close it down," a senior figure in UK enforcement said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sense of pressure" when describing an emotional or psychological feeling of being burdened or stressed by expectations, deadlines, or responsibilities.

Common error

Avoid using "sense of pressure" to describe physical sensations. Instead, use terms like "feeling of compression" or "physical pressure" when referring to tangible, physical forces.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sense of pressure" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It refers to a feeling or awareness of being burdened by expectations or responsibilities. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, from describing angina to academic and professional settings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sense of pressure" is a common and versatile expression used to describe the subjective feeling of being burdened by expectations, responsibilities, or deadlines. As indicated by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in a wide range of contexts, from news articles and academic papers to personal reflections. While alternatives like "feeling of stress" or "burden of expectation" may be suitable substitutes depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey, "sense of pressure" remains a clear and effective way to communicate this common human experience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feeling of being pressured

This alternative emphasizes the emotional experience of being subjected to pressure.

burden of expectation

This highlights the weight of expectations contributing to the feeling of pressure.

weight of responsibility

This focuses on the responsibility aspect that creates a "sense of pressure".

anxiety of performance

This phrase links the pressure directly to performance-related anxiety.

stress of obligation

This emphasizes the obligatory nature of the pressure felt.

impending doom

This evokes a strong feeling of negative pressure and an anticipated bad outcome.

atmosphere of urgency

This changes the focus to the environment causing the "sense of pressure".

climate of stress

Similar to the previous alternative, this emphasizes the external environment.

demand for results

This highlights the requirement for specific outcomes that generate pressure.

mounting tension

This suggests a gradual increase in the "sense of pressure" over time.

FAQs

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

You can use "sense of pressure" to describe feelings of stress or burden caused by expectations or responsibilities. For example, "The upcoming deadline created a strong "sense of pressure" to complete the project on time."

What's the difference between "sense of pressure" and "feeling of stress"?

While both describe negative emotional states, "sense of pressure" often implies an external force causing the feeling, whereas "feeling of stress" can be more general and internally generated.

Which is the correct way to express this idea, "sense of pressure" or "feeling of being pressured"?

Both are correct, but "sense of pressure" is a more concise and commonly used expression. "Feeling of being pressured" is more verbose but still conveys the same meaning.

What can I say instead of "sense of pressure"?

You can use alternatives like "burden of expectation", "weight of responsibility", or "anxiety of performance" depending on the specific context.