twinge of guilt

USAGE SUMMARY

"twinge of guilt" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe a sudden, brief feeling of guilt or remorse. Example: As she watched her friends indulge in indulgent desserts, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt for breaking her diet.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Or maybe there is even a twinge of guilt.

The New York Times

Hearing that story recently elicited a twinge of guilt.

The New York Times

You may recall nervousness, a twinge of guilt.

The New York Times

For those students I met, I feel mostly pity, and a twinge of guilt.

The New Yorker

The only person who should feel even a twinge of guilt is you - for snooping.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

■ You will feel a twinge of guilt when you read of the demise of independent bookshops.

The Guardian - Books

And I do feel a twinge of guilt about my planet-burning preferences.

The Guardian - Opinion

I still feel a twinge of guilt as I report this event.

The New York Times - Health

"There was a little twinge of guilt that I was allowed to come back".

The New York Times

Maybe you feel a twinge of guilt about having missed President Obama's health care forum on Thursday.

The New York Times

Mr. Fletcher, the corporate financier, admitted to feeling a twinge of guilt, but quickly pushed it aside.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "twinge of guilt" to express a mild, often sudden feeling of guilt, rather than deep remorse. It's suitable when the action isn't severely wrong but still causes slight discomfort.

Common error

Avoid using "twinge of guilt" when describing profound regret or significant wrongdoing. Opt for phrases like "deep remorse" or "crippling guilt" to convey the appropriate intensity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "twinge of guilt" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb (e.g., "felt a twinge of guilt"). It describes a brief, sharp feeling. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples showing it in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "twinge of guilt" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a slight, sudden feeling of guilt, as validated by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in news and media, it signifies a mild sense of remorse, suitable for situations where the wrongdoing isn't severe. Remember to use it to express a nuanced, subtle feeling, and not to replace expressions of deep remorse. Alternatives such as "pang of guilt" or "fleeting guilt" can add variation to your writing. By understanding its proper context and intensity, you can effectively use "twinge of guilt" to convey a precise emotion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pang of guilt

Replaces "twinge" with "pang", suggesting a sharper, more sudden feeling.

fleeting guilt

Emphasizes the brief and transient nature of the guilt.

sense of remorse

Focuses on regret and sorrow for a wrong committed.

feeling of culpability

Highlights the responsibility for a wrongdoing.

shadow of guilt

Implies a lingering, less intense feeling of guilt.

hint of guilt

Suggests a subtle and understated feeling of guilt.

small measure of guilt

Indicates a limited or restrained amount of guilt.

touch of guilt

Similar to "hint", emphasizing a slight feeling of guilt.

trace of guilt

Highlights a very faint or almost imperceptible feeling of guilt.

inkling of guilt

Indicates a vague or uncertain feeling of guilt.

FAQs

How to use "twinge of guilt" in a sentence?

You can use "twinge of guilt" to describe a slight feeling of regret or responsibility for something. For instance, "I felt a "twinge of guilt" after eating the last piece of cake."

What can I say instead of "twinge of guilt"?

Alternatives to "twinge of guilt" include "pang of guilt", "fleeting guilt", or "sense of remorse", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "twinge of guilty" instead of "twinge of guilt"?

No, the correct phrase is "twinge of guilt". "Guilt" is a noun, which is appropriate in this context, while "guilty" is an adjective.

What's the difference between "twinge of guilt" and "twinge of regret"?

"Twinge of guilt" refers specifically to feeling bad about a wrongdoing, while "twinge of regret" indicates sadness or disappointment over something that happened or didn't happen.