a heartbreaking day

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a heartbreaking day" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a day filled with sadness or distressing events. Example: "The news of the tragedy made it a heartbreaking day for the entire community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The prime minister, Tony Abbott, said Hughes's death was "a very sad day for cricket and a heartbreaking day for his family".

The Guardian - Sport

It's a heartbreaking day for us all," she said. .

Huffington Post

Former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe called it a "heartbreaking day" and called Northam "my friend".

Huffington Post

Ward, who later broke away to launch his own company, SandRidge Energy Inc, called McClendon's death "not only a heartbreaking day for me but a sad day for all of Oklahoma".

Huffington Post

The head of Cleveland's police union said Sunday he would ask Ohio Gov. John Kasich to suspend open-carry gun rights for a week after several police officers were gunned down in Baton Rouge, La. "It's a heartbreaking day," said union president Steven Loomis.

Los Angeles Times

The chancellor of California's state community college system called the repeal "a heartless and senseless decision"; the president of the University of Washington declared that "ending DACA diminishes us all"; and the president of the University of Pennsylvania said Tuesday was a "heartbreaking day for this country".

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Parramatta Eels' systematic breaching of the salary cap has been a "stain on the game" said NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg on a "truly heartbreaking day" when the club was docked all 12 competition points secured so far this season.

The Guardian - Sport

This is an especially heartbreaking day for all of our friends and fellow Americans who are lesbian, gay, transgender and bisexual".

The Guardian

He described it as "an especially heartbreaking day for all of our friends and fellow Americans who are lesbian, gay, transgender and bisexual".

The Guardian

In an important moment, the President acknowledged how the attack was targeted toward the LGBT community when he said: "This is an especially heartbreaking day for all of our friends, our fellow Americans, who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.

Vice

"It is an incredibly sad and heartbreaking day for me and my family," Giannoulias said this evening during a news conference, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a heartbreaking day" to convey deep sadness or emotional distress caused by specific events or news. It's best suited for situations where there's a sense of loss or profound disappointment.

Common error

Avoid using "a heartbreaking day" for trivial disappointments. Reserve it for genuinely distressing events to maintain its impact and sincerity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a heartbreaking day" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying the noun "day", expressing the emotional quality of the day. It emphasizes the distressing nature of the events that occurred. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a heartbreaking day" is a grammatically sound and emotionally charged expression used to describe a day filled with profound sadness and distress. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples primarily from news and media sources. While versatile, it's best reserved for situations of genuine loss or tragedy to maintain its impact. Alternatives like "a tragic day" or "a devastating day" offer nuanced ways to convey similar sentiments. Understanding its proper usage ensures effective and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a tragic day

Emphasizes the element of tragedy rather than heartbreak, focusing on the severity of events.

a devastating day

Highlights the destructive impact of the events, suggesting widespread damage or loss.

a sorrowful day

Focuses on the feeling of sorrow and grief experienced.

a grievous day

Implies a deeper sense of suffering and pain, often used in more formal contexts.

a painful day

Highlights the emotional pain and distress caused by the day's events.

a wretched day

Conveys a sense of misery and unhappiness.

an unfortunate day

Downplays the emotional aspect and focuses on the bad luck or unfavorable circumstances.

a dismal day

Suggests a gloomy and depressing atmosphere.

a calamitous day

Emphasizes the disastrous nature of the events, implying significant harm or loss.

a crushing day

Highlights the feeling of being overwhelmed and defeated by the day's events.

FAQs

What does "a heartbreaking day" mean?

The phrase "a heartbreaking day" describes a day filled with significant sadness, grief, or emotional distress, often due to tragic events or loss.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a heartbreaking day"?

Use "a heartbreaking day" to describe situations involving profound emotional pain or significant loss. Consider using alternatives like "a tragic day" or "a devastating day" for slightly different emphasis.

What can I say instead of "a heartbreaking day"?

You can use alternatives like "a tragic day", "a sorrowful day", or "a painful day" depending on the specific emotion you want to convey.

How does "a heartbreaking day" differ from "a sad day"?

"A heartbreaking day" suggests a deeper level of emotional pain and distress compared to "a sad day". "A sad day" may describe general unhappiness, while "a heartbreaking day" typically involves significant loss or tragedy.