What is an adjective to describe something that I have an indirectly feeling about how I should do it but am not sure of and have no concrete evidence for its correctness. It's like an intuition.
For example, in a situation where there are a few bullies attacking a person. I feel that if I stood up, the situation could change. I just naturally feel that the situation could change but I am not sure if it would change and I have no evidence that I have the efficacy to change. It may not change at all; the person may continue to get bullied. But I kind of have this feeling or instinct that it would be different.
It may not be just a like situation like this. It could be like say I feel that adding pepper to my plate of pasta could make it taste better. But it may or may not make it worse. It's like a vague inner voice inside me that tells me that "maybe I should do this".
So then, I may write it this way:
Instinctively, adding pepper can make the pasta taste better.
But, instinctively here doesn't imply the kind of unsure that I have about the action. Although it does give that "natural" idea, I think it is also important that the word presents my sense of uncertainty and the possibility that it may be wrong due to the statement being a subjective opinion.
So, what is a word or phrase better than instinctively to convey these ideas?
Best Answer
The original post itself alludes to two perfectly good adjectives: intuitive and instinctive.
Googling "define intuitive" yields as the primary definition: Using or based on what one feels to be true even without conscious reasoning; instinctive.
"define instinctive": Relating to or prompted by instinct; apparently unconscious or automatic: "an instinctive distaste for conflict."
My sense is that intuitive implies some degree of certainty, even though one might not be able to present logical arguments that would convince someone else--or, at least, without more effort than one wishes to invest. Instinctive, on the other hand, seems to convey less reflection.
One might intuitively select pieces that will coordinate well when decorating a room.
One might instinctively react when one's child starts to walk toward a busy street.