sensed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sensed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the perception or awareness of something through the senses or intuition. Example: "As she walked through the dark forest, she sensed a presence behind her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Each season at Chelsea I sensed progress, from playing 10 games to 16, 20 to 34 over a campaign.

The Guardian - Sport

Interestingly, as the numbers on the scales have fallen I have sensed a newfound respect and curiosity emerging from my peers.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The rhetoric had stepped right up because of Wednesday's action and I sensed more urgency from government," he said.

The Guardian

Ukip sensed a chance at victory among the disaffected Labour voters in the seat, which in various guises has been Labour for the past 50 years, ever since housing estates were built to relocate thousands of poor residents from central Manchester back in the early 1960s.

The Guardian

Perhaps the two organisations who have resisted Orange parades passing through their areas sensed there was a wider political game taking place.

The Guardian

Rivals in other agencies sensed an uncollegiate superiority.

The Guardian

You sensed she wasn't sure about his credentials because the pina coladas flushed up her cheeks like beacons at sunset and her mother had to prop her up all the way to the groom.

The Guardian - Travel

She must have sensed something was wrong from my voice because five hours later she turned up on the doorstep, having travelled all the way from Scotland.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

On the subject of leadership, some respondents argued Germany had demonstrated too much arrogance, while others sensed a reluctance – born of historical precedence – to assume control.

The Guardian

The Queen sensed, Boyle says, that "people are going to be sick of me, they're going to have had enough of that".

The Guardian - Film

The training was hard, but Singleton never sensed any undercurrent of racism.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sensed", ensure the context clearly indicates whether the perception is through physical senses or intuition. This clarity enhances the effectiveness of your communication.

Common error

Avoid using "sensed" in highly formal or scientific writing when more precise terms like "observed" or "detected" might be more appropriate. The informal tone of "sensed" may reduce the credibility of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "sensed" is as the past tense and past participle of the verb "sense". It describes the action of perceiving something through the senses or intuition. Ludwig examples show its common use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Sensed" functions as the past tense of the verb "sense", denoting the perception or awareness of something through either physical senses or intuition. It enjoys very common usage, particularly in News & Media. Ludwig AI indicates that this usage is grammatically correct and is often found in neutral contexts. Related alternatives include "felt", "perceived", and "detected", each offering subtle differences in meaning. When using "sensed", clarity of context is key, and overuse in highly formal writing should be avoided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

felt

Expresses a similar meaning of experiencing or perceiving something, often emotionally or physically.

perceived

Indicates an awareness or understanding gained through the senses or intuition, similar to "sensed" but can be more formal.

detected

Implies noticing something, often something not immediately obvious.

noticed

Suggests becoming aware of something through observation.

discerned

Implies perceiving or recognizing something subtle or indistinct.

observed

Indicates a formal or careful noticing of something.

realized

Suggests becoming aware of something as a fact or truth.

understood

Implies a mental grasp of something, often after some consideration.

recognized

Suggests identifying something previously known or encountered.

intuit

To understand or know (something) by instinct.

FAQs

How can I use "sensed" in a sentence?

You can use "sensed" to describe perceiving something through the senses or intuition. For example, "I "sensed" a change in the atmosphere" or "She "sensed" his discomfort".

What are some alternatives to "sensed"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "felt", "perceived", "detected", or "noticed" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to use "sensed" or "felt"?

The choice between "sensed" and "felt" depends on the context. "Sensed" can imply either physical or intuitive perception, while "felt" often suggests a more emotional or physical experience.

What's the difference between "sensed" and "discerned"?

"Sensed" generally indicates a broad awareness or feeling, while "discerned" implies a more careful or insightful perception, often of something subtle or hidden.