the sentiment was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the sentiment was" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a particular feeling or opinion that was held or expressed at a certain time. Example: "The sentiment was overwhelmingly positive during the meeting, reflecting the team's enthusiasm for the new project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The sentiment was understandable.

The New York Times

Online, the sentiment was similar.

The New York Times

The sentiment was positively American.

The New York Times

The sentiment was reciprocated.

The Guardian

The sentiment was premature, of course.

The New Yorker

The sentiment was unanimous, he said.

The New York Times

The sentiment was shared by the Haysoms.

The New Yorker

On Twitter, the sentiment was very different.

The New York Times

But the sentiment was deceptive.

The Guardian

But the sentiment was also heartfelt.

The New York Times - Arts

The sentiment was satisfying for Bonds.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the sentiment was" to introduce a generally held feeling or opinion, providing context for subsequent actions or events. For example: "The sentiment was overwhelmingly in favor of change, leading to a complete overhaul of the system."

Common error

Avoid using "the sentiment was" when describing a feeling held by a single individual. It's best used when referring to a widespread or collective feeling. Instead, consider phrases like "he felt that" or "her view was".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the sentiment was" functions as a clause introduction or a sentence opener. It sets the stage by indicating a prevailing feeling, opinion, or attitude. As Ludwig AI suggests, this expression is commonly used and grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the sentiment was" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to introduce a prevailing feeling, opinion, or attitude, providing context for subsequent information. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, the phrase exhibits a neutral register and functions as a clause introduction. While alternatives like "the feeling was" and "the opinion was" exist, "the sentiment was" is particularly useful for conveying a more considered or reasoned collective perspective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the feeling was

Replaces "sentiment" with "feeling", focusing on the emotional aspect.

the opinion was

Substitutes "sentiment" with "opinion", emphasizing a belief or judgment.

the mood was

Changes "sentiment" to "mood", highlighting the overall atmosphere or emotional state.

the general consensus was

Replaces the entire phrase with a focus on agreement or shared opinion.

the prevailing view was

Emphasizes the dominant or most common perspective.

there was a sense of

Shifts the focus to the existence of a particular feeling or impression.

it was generally felt that

Introduces a passive construction emphasizing a widely held belief.

the atmosphere was

Focuses on the overall environment or ambiance.

public opinion was

Specifically refers to the views of the general public.

the common understanding was

Highlights a shared interpretation or comprehension.

FAQs

What does "the sentiment was" mean?

The phrase "the sentiment was" means that a particular feeling, opinion, or attitude was prevalent or commonly held among a group of people at a specific time.

What can I say instead of "the sentiment was"?

You can use alternatives like "the feeling was", "the opinion was", or "the general consensus was" depending on the context.

How do I use "the sentiment was" in a sentence?

Use "the sentiment was" to introduce or describe a prevailing feeling or opinion. For example: "The sentiment was that the project would fail."

Is it better to use "the sentiment was" or "the feeling was"?

Both "the sentiment was" and "the feeling was" are correct, but "sentiment" implies a more considered or reasoned opinion, while "feeling" suggests a more emotional response.