sense of trajectory

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sense of trajectory" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an understanding or awareness of the direction or path of development in a particular context, such as personal growth, project progress, or trends. Example: "As we analyze the data, we need to maintain a sense of trajectory to ensure we are on the right path towards our goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

He has a sense of trajectory".

The New Yorker

Søndergård's handling both of the details of instrumentation and the overriding structural form ensured the work's strong sense of trajectory, but it also gave the finale's last dramatic pauses – questions poised in the air – a chilling frisson.

The Guardian - Music

And the two apparent extremes, "genius" and "critic," both suggest a similar impulse: a desire to control one's destiny, whether that means overlaying a vague sense of trajectory upon one's life or merely hurtling one's self into tomorrow.

The New Yorker

"Call Me Maybe" was a dream and a nightmare that came at the expense of victories an artist might typically achieve during the formative stages of a career: the cultivation of a core fan base, critical success, a sense of trajectory.

The New Yorker

Whatever the secret of Barton's flawless sense of trajectory, some of that magic is in the music.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Bruni wrote that Mrs. Clementi told him that "while the court's rulings in the DOMA and Prop 8 cases were 'just a start,' they affirmed her belief in 'the trajectory of where we're going.'" Jane's sense of that trajectory was made poignantly clear when she also noted that the rulings "might even save lives".

Huffington Post

Josh Brown, director of the American History Project at the City University, said: "At the Museum of Modern Art you get the history of modern art, a sense of the trajectory of art through the 19th and 20th centuries.

The New York Times - Books

He added: "Those who are familiar with Dumas's work from contemporary shows and mixed shows will be able to get a sense of the trajectory of her practice over a number of years.

The Guardian - Arts

/ I have stolen breath / In a stalk of fennel!" (Curiously, the Modern Library anthology that Milford edited includes nothing Millay wrote after 1923, thus omitting her fine late sonnets and giving no sense of her trajectory as a writer).

The New Yorker

While the focus of "What Thou Lovest Well...". must of course be Olga Rudge, there probably would not have been a biography of her had she not been Pound's mistress, and Ms. Conover gives little sense of the trajectory of his career during his years with Olga.

The New York Times - Books

To get a fuller sense of the trajectory of the total size of a cohort and its descendants, one can project total population size over time and compare it to the analytical trajectory provided by Eq. (10).

Genus

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sense of trajectory" when you want to convey an understanding or awareness of the general direction or path something is taking, particularly in the context of progress, development, or change. It's useful for describing long-term trends or future outlooks.

Common error

Avoid using "sense of trajectory" when describing immediate or precise directions. For instance, instead of saying "the car had a sense of trajectory towards the wall", use "the car was heading towards the wall". Be mindful of using it to imply understanding where a simple physical direction would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sense of trajectory" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It indicates an understanding or awareness of a path, direction, or course of development. Ludwig shows examples in contexts ranging from personal growth to artistic evolution.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sense of trajectory" is a noun phrase that indicates an understanding or awareness of the path or direction in which something is moving. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and appears most frequently in news and media, scientific articles, and encyclopedias. To enhance clarity and avoid overuse, consider alternatives like "awareness of direction" or "understanding of progress" depending on the specific context you intend to convey. Understanding these nuances will enable you to use the phrase effectively and appropriately in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

awareness of direction

Focuses on the conscious perception of a course or path, emphasizing understanding where something is headed.

understanding of progress

Highlights comprehension of the advancement or development occurring over time, emphasizing the intellectual grasp of improvement.

perception of development

Emphasizes the sensory or intuitive grasp of how something is evolving or unfolding.

feeling for the direction

Suggests an intuitive or emotional understanding of the path something is taking, highlighting instinctual comprehension.

appreciation of the trend

Focuses on recognizing and valuing the general tendency or pattern emerging, emphasizing the importance of the overall direction.

grasp of the course

Emphasizes a firm understanding and control over the path being taken, highlighting the ability to influence the outcome.

insight into the path

Highlights a deeper understanding or revelation about the direction something is moving, emphasizing discovery and enlightenment.

recognition of the route

Focuses on identifying and acknowledging the specific path or method being followed, emphasizing awareness of the chosen approach.

comprehension of the trend

Emphasizes intellectual understanding and complete grasp of the general direction, indicating a thorough and complete awareness.

knowledge of the heading

Highlights factual awareness of the direction in which something is oriented, emphasizing understanding the current orientation.

FAQs

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

You can use "sense of trajectory" to describe an understanding of the general direction or development of something. For example: "The project lacks a clear "sense of trajectory", making it difficult to predict its outcome."

What's a good alternative to "sense of trajectory"?

Alternatives include "awareness of direction", "understanding of progress", or "perception of development", depending on the specific context. For example, consider using "awareness of direction" when emphasizing a clear understanding of where something is headed.

Is it correct to say "a sense for trajectory" instead of "sense of trajectory"?

While "a sense for trajectory" might be understood, "sense of trajectory" is the more common and grammatically standard phrasing. Using "sense of" is the idiomatic way to express an understanding or awareness in this context.

What is the difference between "sense of trajectory" and "sense of direction"?

"Sense of trajectory" typically refers to an understanding of a long-term path or development, whereas "sense of direction" usually refers to the ability to orient oneself in physical space. Trajectory implies a future path, while direction indicates a current heading.