the overall impression was

USAGE SUMMARY

"the overall impression was" is correct and is a commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to the general idea or feeling that something has left you with. For example, "The overall impression was that the event was a great success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

But the overall impression was a clang.

The New York Times - Arts

The overall impression was -- and is -- arch, amusing, divinely decadent.

The New York Times

But the overall impression was of Ms. Giannini comfortable in the horsey groove.

The New York Times

The overall impression was of neighborhoods that, architecturally at least, had changed little over three decades.

The New York Times

The overall impression was frankly mad compared with the sensible uptown elegance seen at the majority of New York shows.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The overall impression was of a "tough love" pragmatist who can't be glibly labelled either liberal or authoritarian.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

This is a ripe, concentrated wine, but the sweetness is masked by an impressive tannic structure, so that the overall impression is one of balance and elegance.

The New York Times - Food

But the overall impression is bleak.

The Economist

The overall impression is of blowziness.

The New York Times - Arts

The overall impression is one of opulent splendor.

The New York Times - Arts

The overall impression is one of time passing and loss.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the overall impression was" to summarize your assessment after considering all relevant aspects of a subject. It helps provide a clear and concise conclusion.

Common error

Avoid using "the overall impression was" excessively in a single piece of writing. Vary your phrasing to keep the text engaging and prevent it from becoming repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the overall impression was" functions as a declarative statement expressing a summarized assessment or judgment. It uses a copular verb (was) to link the subject (the overall impression) to a subjective evaluation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Arts

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the overall impression was" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase for expressing a summarized assessment or judgment. Ludwig AI confirms this. It is most commonly found in news and media, science, and the arts, with a neutral to professional register. While versatile, it's important to avoid overuse and vary phrasing for engaging writing. When using "the overall impression was", ensure you're providing a concise conclusion based on a comprehensive evaluation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the general feeling was

Replaces "impression" with "feeling", focusing on the emotional response.

the prevailing sense was

Substitutes "overall impression" with "prevailing sense", highlighting a dominant sentiment.

the dominant effect was

Emphasizes the effect something had, rather than the impression it left.

it seemed that the general consensus was

Highlights agreement among multiple observers.

the abiding memory was

Focuses on the lasting memory or image.

one's immediate response was

Indicates the first reaction or feeling experienced.

the cumulative effect was

Emphasizes that the effect is from multiple sources and is a build up, rather than from a single one.

the lasting thought was

Highlights the final thought one has after the fact.

the collective experience suggested

Focuses on the experience of a group of people, rather than just a single individual.

the ultimate takeaway was

Conveys the primary lesson or learning derived from the experience.

FAQs

How can I use "the overall impression was" in a sentence?

You can use "the overall impression was" to summarize a feeling or opinion after evaluating something. For instance, "After the meeting, "the overall impression was" that the project would be successful."

What are some alternatives to "the overall impression was"?

You can use alternatives like "the general feeling was", "the prevailing sense was", or "the dominant effect was" to express similar ideas.

Is it appropriate to use "the overall impression was" in formal writing?

Yes, "the overall impression was" is suitable for formal writing. It is a clear and professional way to convey a summarized assessment or opinion.

Can "the overall impression was" be used to describe a negative sentiment?

Yes, "the overall impression was" can be used to describe either positive or negative sentiments. For example, "The overall impression was that the presentation was disorganized and confusing."