spatial awareness

USAGE SUMMARY

"spatial awareness" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It refers to one's understanding and perception of their surroundings and the spatial relationships between objects. Example: It is important for architects to have a strong spatial awareness in order to design functional and visually appealing buildings. Another example: The athlete demonstrated excellent spatial awareness as he navigated through the obstacle course without hitting any of the objects.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The first three features give spatial awareness, while the remaining are local, context-aware features.

Biomedical Optics Express

"Spatial awareness and muscle memory," she said.

The New Yorker

Something was triggered, and I felt a new spatial awareness.

The New Yorker

Michels and Hepworth both had extraordinary spatial awareness.

The Guardian - Arts

Sadly for women, it is spatial awareness that seems to be lacking.

The Guardian - Money

Dyspraxia, or developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD), affects co-ordination, spatial awareness and sensory perception.

The Guardian - Opinion

Perhaps messiness and neatness are just markers of a person's spatial awareness and orientation.

The New York Times - Health

But players with the spatial awareness of a rucksack wearer on the underground haven't helped.

The Guardian - Opinion

With Simon's multi-faceted abilities include accounting, practical building knowledge, spatial awareness, planning, technological wizardry and a positive attitude.

The Guardian

When it comes to spatial awareness the thinking man's full-back is on another level to his rivals.

The Guardian - Sport

But Hood discovered it quite by accident: at the time, he was more interested in exploring children's spatial awareness.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing skills or abilities, emphasize the specific context in which "spatial awareness" is crucial, such as "a strong spatial awareness is essential for architects".

Common error

Avoid using "spatial awareness" too broadly. Instead of stating that someone "lacks spatial awareness", specify the observable behaviors or contexts where this deficit is evident, such as difficulty parking or navigating unfamiliar environments.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "spatial awareness" is that of a noun phrase. It acts as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence, denoting a specific cognitive ability. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

24%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "spatial awareness" is a frequently used and grammatically sound noun phrase that describes the ability to understand and perceive spatial relationships. Ludwig AI highlights that it is used in a vast range of contexts from science to news and media. While the phrase is versatile, it's important to use it with specificity, avoiding broad generalizations and considering the context in which it is applied. By understanding its function, purpose, and common errors, writers can effectively communicate concepts related to spatial understanding. Alternative phrases such as "sense of space" or "spatial perception" can provide nuanced ways to convey similar meanings. When it comes to assessing source quality, the analysis emphasizes reputable sources like The Guardian, The New Yorker, and The New York Times, that contribute to the phrase's credibility and widespread use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spatial perception

This phrase highlights the perceptual aspect of understanding spatial relationships.

sense of space

This alternative emphasizes the intuitive understanding of spatial dimensions.

positional awareness

Focuses specifically on the understanding of one's own position in space relative to other objects.

sense of direction

This phrase refers to the ability to know where you are in relation to your surroundings and how to get to a desired location.

environmental awareness

This broader term includes understanding the environment and one's place within it.

orientation skills

This alternative refers to the abilities needed to navigate and maintain direction in an environment.

visual-spatial intelligence

This term describes the intelligence related to perceiving and processing visual and spatial information.

navigational ability

Emphasizes the ability to move through space effectively and efficiently.

three-dimensional thinking

Highlights the cognitive capacity to understand and manipulate objects in 3D space.

topographical cognition

This refers to the mental representation and understanding of geographical layouts.

FAQs

How can I improve my "spatial awareness"?

Engage in activities that challenge your perception of space, such as playing puzzle games, practicing map reading, or participating in sports that require quick spatial judgments. These exercises can help enhance your understanding and interaction with your environment.

What is the difference between "spatial awareness" and "situational awareness"?

"Spatial awareness" refers specifically to the understanding of spatial relationships between objects and one's self, while "situational awareness" is a broader concept involving perception, comprehension, and projection of elements in the environment, including spatial aspects but also other factors.

In what professions is "spatial awareness" particularly important?

"Spatial awareness" is critical in fields such as architecture, surgery, engineering, sports, and navigation. Professions that require understanding of spatial relationships such as video game design and even professional driving benefit greatly from a strong "spatial awareness".

What are some signs of poor "spatial awareness"?

Signs of poor "spatial awareness" may include difficulty with navigation, frequent bumping into objects, trouble estimating distances, and struggling with tasks that involve assembling or arranging items in a specific space.