touch of unease

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "touch of unease" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a slight feeling of discomfort or anxiety in a situation. Example: "As she entered the dark room, she felt a touch of unease creeping over her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The complications don't end there the character that the husband is writing, Emmett Diggs, a black man falsely convicted in the nineteen-sixties of raping and murdering his white fiancée, jumps into the story, in a twist that has a touch of pulp and a touch of unease.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Sometimes I wished for more stories about Scales and her experiences, as when she does tell these stories, she animates the undersea world with wit, pleasure and fine touches of unease.

The Guardian - Books

Violence elsewhere in the capital reinforced a feeling of unease.

The New York Times

Approaching my husband, I feel a tinge of unease, apprehension.

The New Yorker

Yet the seasonal cloak masks a feeling of unease.

The New York Times

For outsiders, the feeling of unease is instant.

The Guardian - Sport

Still, I left with a feeling of unease.

Vice

Such violations of our normal expectations regarding social signals generate a feeling of unease.

Biology Letters

Pay attention to a feeling of unease.

WikiHow

Part of the problem must be that, while we Brits relished every last drop of the earlier battles surrounding the fictional couple Tamsin and Stephen Mangan's sharp fictional script being dumbed down for America, the real US scriptwriters might now feel a touch of possibly justifiable unease at all the shrewd Briton/whalethick Statesider gags.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Yet the remark also seemed profoundly out of touch with the undercurrent of unease that was building most clearly among the professionals who provide the intellectual and administrative backbone of the British state and wider society.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "touch of unease" with descriptive language about the environment or character behavior to amplify the feeling. For example, "a touch of unease settled as the wind howled through the empty streets".

Common error

Avoid relying on "touch of unease" too frequently in a single piece of writing. Overuse can diminish its impact and make your writing feel repetitive. Opt for varied descriptions of discomfort or anxiety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "touch of unease" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used as the object of a verb (e.g., 'felt a touch of unease') or as a complement describing a state or atmosphere. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "touch of unease" is a grammatically sound and subtly expressive way to convey a slight feeling of discomfort or anxiety. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and useful expression. Predominantly found in news and media, it serves to introduce a sense of potential trouble without being overly dramatic. While alternatives like "hint of anxiety" or "tinge of apprehension" offer similar meanings, "touch of unease" maintains a unique balance of subtlety and expressiveness. When employing this phrase, ensure its frequency aligns with the desired effect, avoiding overuse to retain its impact. Overall, "touch of unease" offers a precise and effective tool for writers seeking to evoke a nuanced sense of apprehension in their audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hint of anxiety

Replaces "unease" with "anxiety", emphasizing the anxious aspect of the feeling.

tinge of apprehension

Substitutes "unease" with "apprehension", highlighting a sense of foreboding.

slight disquiet

Replaces "unease" with "disquiet", suggesting a mild form of disturbance.

trace of discomfort

Uses "discomfort" instead of "unease", focusing on the physical or emotional unpleasantness.

undercurrent of anxiety

Emphasizes the subtle but pervasive nature of the anxiety.

mild apprehension

Highlights the slight and controlled nature of the apprehension.

faint disquietude

Conveys a subtle and old-fashioned sense of unease.

whisper of anxiety

Emphasizes the quiet, almost imperceptible nature of the anxiety.

shadow of doubt

Shifts the focus to the uncertainty causing the unease.

inkling of worry

Suggests a small, initial feeling of worry.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "touch of unease" in a sentence?

Use "touch of unease" to describe a subtle feeling of anxiety or discomfort. For example, "A "touch of unease" crept in as the meeting ran overtime".

What are some alternatives to "touch of unease"?

You can use alternatives like "hint of anxiety", "tinge of apprehension", or "slight disquiet" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "touch of unease" in formal writing?

Yes, "touch of unease" is appropriate for formal writing as it is grammatically correct and widely understood. However, consider your audience and the specific tone you aim to convey.

Can "touch of unease" be used to describe a physical sensation?

While "touch of unease" primarily describes an emotional state, it can indirectly relate to physical sensations. For instance, one might experience a "touch of unease" accompanied by a chill or a knot in the stomach.