underlying feeling of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "underlying feeling of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a deeper or more fundamental emotion that influences thoughts or behaviors. Example: "Despite her cheerful demeanor, there was an underlying feeling of sadness that she couldn't shake off."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

"There's a bit of an underlying feeling of entitlement.

The Guardian - Money

The underlying feeling of second term blues is disappointment.

The Guardian

The slump of Sam's shoulders signals an underlying feeling of resignation to a barren love life.

The New York Times

An unfamiliar place, painful procedures, strangers with needles - all are piled atop the underlying feeling of being sick or hurt.

The New York Times

"Her drawing conveys a lot of the underlying feeling of what's going on in the same way a movie can have a shot without dialogue that's a major turning point or a major insight into a character.

The New York Times - Magazine

When he told the psychiatrists that he regretted what he had done, they wrote that he "clearly did not have any real underlying feeling of remorse".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

I was laid off in September 2008 and will reach 99 weeks without work very soon and can attest to the sense of hopelessness and underlying feelings of rejection that come along with the long-term effects of unemployment.

The New York Times

The neural mechanisms underlying feelings of fatigue are poorly understood.

NeuroImage

One proposal of this study was to investigate EEG correlates underlying feelings of familiarity and unfamiliarity to musical stimuli.

Brain Informatics

Dissatisfaction was heightened by underlying feelings of inequity in choice and access to quality services.

BMC Health Services Research

There also seemed to be underlying feelings of inequity in choice and access to more acceptable services.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "underlying feeling of" to introduce a subtle but significant emotion that influences a situation or character. For example: "There was an "underlying feeling of" unease among the staff after the announcement."

Common error

Avoid using "underlying feeling of" when a simpler emotional descriptor is sufficient. Instead of "There was an "underlying feeling of" happiness", use "There was happiness".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "underlying feeling of" functions as a prepositional phrase often used to introduce a noun that describes a subtle or less obvious emotion or sentiment. It serves to qualify or modify a statement by indicating a deeper, perhaps less apparent, emotional state as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "underlying feeling of" is a common and grammatically correct way to introduce a subtle or foundational emotion that influences thoughts, behaviors, or situations. As indicated by Ludwig, it's often used in news, scientific, and general writing contexts to add depth and nuance to descriptions. While it's versatile, be mindful of redundancy and ensure that a simpler emotional descriptor doesn't suffice. Alternatives such as "subtle sense of", "latent emotion of", and "veiled sentiment of" can offer alternative shades of meaning. By understanding its function and potential pitfalls, you can effectively use "underlying feeling of" to enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deep-seated sense of

Replaces "underlying feeling" with "deep-seated sense", emphasizing the deeply rooted nature of the feeling.

subtle sense of

Replaces "underlying feeling" with "subtle sense", emphasizing a less obvious or easily perceived emotion.

basic emotion of

Changes "underlying feeling" to "basic emotion", emphasizing the foundational or fundamental nature of the emotion.

latent emotion of

Substitutes "underlying feeling" with "latent emotion", highlighting a hidden or dormant emotional state.

ingrained sentiment of

Substitutes "underlying feeling" with "ingrained sentiment", highlighting a deeply embedded emotional state.

veiled sentiment of

Replaces "underlying feeling" with "veiled sentiment", suggesting a concealed or disguised emotion.

unspoken emotion of

Changes "underlying feeling" to "unspoken emotion", focusing on feelings that are not explicitly expressed.

tacit sensation of

Replaces "underlying feeling" with "tacit sensation", indicating a feeling that is understood without being said.

implicit awareness of

Shifts the focus from feeling to awareness, implying a subtle understanding of something.

pervasive atmosphere of

Shifts the focus from a personal feeling to a general atmosphere or mood that is present.

FAQs

How can I use "underlying feeling of" in a sentence?

The phrase "underlying feeling of" is used to describe a subtle but pervasive emotion or sentiment that influences a situation or person. For instance, "Despite the success, there was an underlying feeling of anxiety about future challenges".

What are some alternatives to "underlying feeling of"?

You can use alternatives like "subtle sense of", "latent emotion of", or "veiled sentiment of" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "underlying feeling" or "overlying feeling"?

"Underlying feeling" refers to a hidden or less obvious emotion influencing a situation. "Overlying feeling" is less common but could describe a dominant, more apparent emotion. The choice depends on the context.

What does it mean when someone describes an "underlying feeling of dread"?

An "underlying feeling of dread" suggests a subtle but persistent sense of impending doom or anxiety about something in the future. It's a sense that something bad is about to happen.