senses heightened

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "heightened senses" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a situation in which an individual's perception of sensory stimuli is more intense than normal. For example, "The fear of being caught brought my senses heightened and I could smell the rain coming."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

My senses heightened.

The Guardian - Opinion

Instead my body was in panic mode: pulse racing, adrenalin pumping, senses heightened.

The Guardian - Film

I'd been brainwashed, in a fashion, my senses heightened by this long, uninterrupted session of food television.

The New Yorker

We don't so much read Alice's stories as live through them: they can be exhausting and enervating; they can leave us fragile, our senses heightened; they can leave us satisfied, thrilled.

The New Yorker

But what these patronising bastards don't realise is that being blind has many perks: with all our other senses heightened, us blindys are a force to be reckoned with.

The Guardian

At the table, values are taught and senses heightened to the delight of the sensual experience of eating.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Their senses heighten," Ducks Coach Bruce Boudreau said.

Los Angeles Times

It's cinematic in a post-Lumière sense, heightened by the scoring of Ms. Galasso's father, Michael, a film composer who died in 2009.

The New York Times - Arts

With chestnut forests, fields of boulders and rugged paths, the park has an unpredictable, almost chaotic feel, a sense heightened by large numbers of sheep and cattle.

The Guardian - Travel

I suppose I hoped it would, in some odd Victorian sense, heighten my date's interest.

The New York Times

The sense heightens that this really is a painting to make a fuss about.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character in a tense or dangerous situation, use "senses heightened" to illustrate their increased awareness of their surroundings.

Common error

Avoid attributing "senses heightened" to a lack of sleep. While sleep deprivation can alter perception, heightened senses generally imply a state of increased alertness, not impairment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "senses heightened" functions primarily as a descriptive element, indicating a state of increased sensory awareness. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence in various writing contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Huffington Post

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "senses heightened" effectively conveys a state of increased sensory awareness, often associated with heightened emotions or stressful situations. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various writing styles, primarily within News & Media. While relatively versatile, understanding its subtle nuances is key to proper application. Alternatives such as "heightened awareness" or "increased sensitivity" can offer more precision depending on the desired effect. When incorporating "senses heightened" into your writing, ensure it accurately reflects the intended emotional or environmental context. Based on real world examples it can be applied in a wide variety of context like when someone is blind, or during a race or even when someone is experiencing a movie.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intensified senses

Directly mirrors the original phrase but uses a different adjective, "intensified", to describe the state of the senses.

enhanced senses

Emphasizes the improvement or upgrade in sensory capabilities.

senses are more acute

Rephrases the concept to focus on the increased acuity of the senses.

senses are sharpened

Similar to 'sharpened senses' but structured as a full sentence.

heightened awareness

Focuses on the increased state of being conscious and aware, rather than specifically sensory input.

sharpened senses

Focuses on the improved clarity and precision of sensory input.

increased sensitivity

Emphasizes a greater responsiveness to stimuli, which can be physical or emotional.

heightened perception

Shifts the focus from the senses themselves to the overall act of perceiving.

acute perception

Highlights the sharpness and clarity of sensory experiences.

amplified senses

Suggests an increase in the magnitude or intensity of sensory experiences.

FAQs

How can I use "senses heightened" in a sentence?

You can use "senses heightened" to describe a state of increased awareness or perception, for example: "Walking through the dark forest, my "senses heightened", and I noticed every rustle of leaves.

What's a good alternative to "senses heightened"?

Alternatives to "senses heightened" include "heightened awareness", "increased sensitivity", or "acute perception", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "senses are heightened"?

Yes, "senses are heightened" is grammatically correct. The phrase "senses heightened" is a shortened version often used for stylistic effect, especially in descriptive writing.

In what contexts is "senses heightened" most appropriate?

"Senses heightened" is particularly suitable in contexts describing moments of high tension, fear, or excitement, where a character's perception is amplified. It is frequently found in news, media, and creative writing.