uncanny feeling

USAGE SUMMARY

"uncanny feeling" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a strange or strange feeling, such as a feeling of déjà vu or a feeling that something strange is happening. For example: "I had an uncanny feeling that I had been in this exact place before."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

The first thing you experience is the uncanny feeling of already having been there: you feel like you've seen that cafe, been in that house, eaten at that restaurant.

Huffington Post

It's an uncanny feeling for an audience, when what once seemed cheerful turns chilling.

The New York Times

"I couldn't escape the uncanny feeling that the people in the paintings were listening in".

The New Yorker

"Nearly all survivors report that certain traumatic memories communicate an uncanny feeling of timelessness".

The New Yorker

I suddenly had the uncanny feeling of being in an audition room, sitting in judgment.

The New Yorker

When you do visit, you often have the uncanny feeling of walking through a movie.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

"Golem is an installation using antic [sic] sculpture and video to create the uncanny feelings.

Vice

The work has the vaguely uncanny look and feeling of a fairy tale.

The New York Times

Despite its rigid stillness, the statue has an uncanny animated feeling, as if it were inhabited by some eternal consciousness.

The New York Times - Arts

"Hitler's Hit Parade," despite its jaunty title, is structured to make the most of that uncanny, haunted feeling.

The New York Times

That alone provided a new source for mining the Uncanny without feeling guilt or fear of an external authority.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "uncanny feeling" to describe a sensation that is both strange and unsettling, often associated with déjà vu or a sense that something is not quite right.

Common error

While "uncanny feeling" is a valid phrase, overuse can weaken your writing. Vary your descriptions by using synonyms like "eerie sensation" or "strange premonition" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "uncanny feeling" functions primarily as a descriptive element, modifying a state of being or a situation. It attributes a quality of strangeness and unease to a feeling. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "uncanny feeling" effectively describes a sensation that is both strange and unsettling. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usability. It's commonly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, indicating its versatility across different writing styles. While synonyms like "eerie sensation" and "strange premonition" exist, "uncanny feeling" itself is a robust and widely accepted expression. While very common, it's smart not overuse it in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eerie sensation

Replaces 'feeling' with 'sensation' and 'uncanny' with 'eerie', emphasizing the strangeness.

strange premonition

Replaces 'feeling' with 'premonition', implying a sense of foreboding.

peculiar emotion

Substitutes 'uncanny' with 'peculiar' and 'feeling' with 'emotion', focusing on the unusual nature of the emotion.

unsettling intuition

Uses 'unsettling' instead of 'uncanny', highlighting the disturbing aspect, and 'intuition' instead of 'feeling'.

odd presentiment

Replaces 'feeling' with 'presentiment', indicating a feeling that something is about to happen, and uses 'odd' instead of 'uncanny'.

bizarre sensation

Uses "bizarre" to emphasize the strangeness of the sensation. Slightly more intense than "uncanny".

unfamiliar emotion

Focuses on the novelty of the emotion experienced.

queer sense

Uses "queer" to indicate something unusual or out of the ordinary; "sense" replaces "feeling".

haunting sensation

Implies the sensation lingers and is difficult to shake off.

disturbing feeling

Emphasizes the unsettling nature of the feeling experienced.

FAQs

How can I use "uncanny feeling" in a sentence?

You can use "uncanny feeling" to describe a situation where you experience a strange or unsettling sensation. For example, "I had an "uncanny feeling" that I was being watched" or "Visiting the old house gave me an "uncanny feeling" of déjà vu".

What are some alternatives to "uncanny feeling"?

You can use alternatives like "eerie sensation", "strange premonition", or "peculiar emotion" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "uncanny feeling" a formal or informal phrase?

"Uncanny feeling" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. While it's not overly technical, it's also not slang, making it appropriate for a wide range of writing styles.

What makes a feeling "uncanny"?

An "uncanny feeling" is often described as a sensation that is strangely familiar, unsettling, or mysterious. It suggests something is slightly off or out of place, creating a sense of unease or bewilderment.