the prevailing sentiment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the prevailing sentiment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the dominant or most common feeling or opinion among a group of people regarding a particular issue or topic. Example: "The prevailing sentiment among the voters is one of frustration with the current administration."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That, at least, is the prevailing sentiment.

The Economist

"Enough is enough" is the prevailing sentiment.

The Guardian

Something like that, I would guess, was the prevailing sentiment.

The New Yorker

The prevailing sentiment in Obama's ballplaying inner circle is that on-court behavior reveals character.

The New Yorker

By late afternoon, this appeared to be the prevailing sentiment across the city.

The New York Times

The song made for a perfect summation, he suggested, of the prevailing sentiment among Olympic spectators.

The New Yorker

Still, the prevailing sentiment is that such goals should not be expressed.

The New York Times

The prevailing sentiment in Batticaloa, he said, was "We are victims again.

The New Yorker

For weeks, the prevailing sentiment on LetsRun had been that Litton would not show up.

The New Yorker

This was the prevailing sentiment at the arena Saturday, though hardly a prevailing sentiment over all.

The New York Times - Sports

Even a year ago this was the prevailing sentiment among large numbers of undiscerning people.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the prevailing sentiment" to introduce a summary of opinions or feelings that you will then support with evidence or examples.

Common error

Avoid using "the prevailing sentiment" when you only have anecdotal evidence or a small sample size. Ensure your assessment accurately reflects a widespread feeling, not just a personal observation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the prevailing sentiment" functions as a noun phrase. According to Ludwig, it identifies and describes a widely held feeling or opinion within a specific group or context, acting as the subject or object of a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the prevailing sentiment" is a noun phrase used to describe a widespread feeling or opinion, mostly observed in News & Media contexts, as pointed out by Ludwig. Its function is to report on public attitudes in a neutral register. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness of the phrase. Related phrases include "the dominant feeling" and "the general opinion". When employing this phrase, clearly identify the group holding the sentiment to avoid overgeneralization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the dominant feeling

Focuses on the emotional aspect and its dominance.

the general opinion

Emphasizes a widespread belief or judgment.

the common view

Highlights a shared perspective or understanding.

the popular belief

Stresses widespread acceptance or faith in something.

the public mood

Focuses on the emotional state of the populace.

the atmosphere

Captures the overall feeling or tone.

the consensus

Highlights agreement and shared understanding.

the word on the street

Indicates informal public opinion.

the current thinking

Focuses on present beliefs and ideas.

the accepted wisdom

Implies a belief widely regarded as true.

FAQs

How can I use "the prevailing sentiment" in a sentence?

You can use "the prevailing sentiment" to describe the dominant feeling or opinion within a group. For example: "The prevailing sentiment among voters is one of disappointment."

What's a more formal alternative to "the prevailing sentiment"?

A more formal alternative could be "the dominant view" or "the general consensus", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to specify who holds "the prevailing sentiment"?

While not always grammatically required, specifying the group clarifies your meaning. For example, compare "The prevailing sentiment is negative" to "The prevailing sentiment among investors is negative."

Can "the prevailing sentiment" be positive, negative, or neutral?

Yes, "the prevailing sentiment" can reflect any emotional tone or opinion. It simply describes the most widespread feeling, whether it's positive like optimism, negative like anger, or neutral like apathy.