sense of trouble

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sense of trouble" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a feeling or intuition that something is wrong or problematic in a situation. Example: "As she walked into the room, she had a strong sense of trouble, sensing that something was amiss."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It is unclear whether a sense of trouble, or other reasons, led some longtime donors to stop giving or limit their largess; the school's tax documents do not list individual donors.

The New York Times

The nurse evaluates the measurement as a "little bit under...but not too bad", minimising any sense of trouble.

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

There is a wistful solitude to this scene, a melancholy sense of troubles that have kept her up late, that have at last turned her away from the room, and washed her up on the shore of the windowsill, idly looking at plants deep in the night, where she is reminded of the beauty of mere things, a beauty which, just now, is much, but not enough.

Huffington Post

And from my vantage point, one thing that makes sense of that trouble and adds meaning to our lives is art — in all its forms.

The New York Times

A woman of few words, she presided over generations of dancers, choreographers and backstage personnel with a wryly detached wit and a calm, almost uncanny sense of approaching trouble.

The New York Times - Arts

I recently finished David McKittrick and David McVea's "Making Sense of the Troubles: The Story of the Conflict in Northern Ireland," which I found balanced, humane and lucid.

The New York Times

David McKittrick, co-author of "Making Sense of the Troubles," said the group's abandonment of the political path was a serious setback to the peace effort.

The New York Times

The novel's characters are caught in predictable midlife crises — "Do you ever wake up and wonder how you got here?" one asks — but Bialosky deepens our sense of these troubles with well-chosen details, such as the protagonist's luxury-goods addiction.

The New Yorker

Whenever you are trying to make sense of something troubling in the world, musicals might not necessarily have the answer, but they may have a fun and out-of-the-box way to think about it.

Huffington Post

But none of them are troublemakers; nor are they, in any really significant sense, a source of trouble.

The New York Times

"No one had a sense of how much trouble they were actually in," he added.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sense of trouble" to describe an intuitive feeling that something is amiss, rather than a concrete, observable problem. It's about perception and anticipation.

Common error

Avoid using "sense of trouble" when describing an actual, identifiable issue. The phrase conveys a feeling or premonition, not a factual statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sense of trouble" functions primarily as a noun phrase that denotes an intuitive feeling or perception that something is wrong, problematic, or that difficulties are likely to arise. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is valid and appropriate.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sense of trouble" is a valid and grammatically correct English expression used to describe an intuitive feeling or perception of impending difficulty or unease. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts, indicating its relevance in describing perceived problems or risks. While related to phrases like "feeling of unease" or "premonition of difficulty", "sense of trouble" specifically highlights an anticipatory awareness. Use it to convey a feeling that something is amiss, avoiding its application to already established, concrete problems. Overall, it’s a useful phrase for expressing intuitive apprehension in a variety of contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feeling of unease

Focuses on a general feeling of discomfort or anxiety, less specific than a defined trouble.

foreboding feeling

Implies a strong sense that something bad is going to happen.

premonition of difficulty

Highlights a predictive feeling that problems will arise.

presentiment of crisis

Suggests an anticipation of a critical or dangerous situation.

intuition of danger

Emphasizes an instinctive awareness of potential harm.

ominous sensation

Highlights a feeling that something bad is imminent and unavoidable.

awareness of risk

Focuses on recognizing the potential for negative outcomes.

suspicion of problems

Suggests a belief that issues are present, often without concrete evidence.

inkling of adversity

Indicates a slight or vague feeling that hardship is coming.

hint of coming storms

A metaphorical expression suggesting approaching difficulties or challenges.

FAQs

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

You can use "sense of trouble" to describe a feeling that something is wrong or that problems are likely to occur. For example: "She had a strong "sense of trouble" when she saw the dark clouds gathering."

What phrases are similar to "sense of trouble"?

Similar phrases include "feeling of unease", "premonition of difficulty", or "intuition of danger".

Is it better to say "sense of trouble" or "feeling of trouble"?

"Sense of trouble" and "feeling of trouble" are quite similar, but "sense" implies more of an intuition or perception, while "feeling" can refer to a more emotional response.

Can "sense of trouble" refer to a past event?

While it usually refers to an anticipation of future problems, you could use it to describe a past feeling. For example: "Looking back, I had a "sense of trouble" even before the accident."