a touch of emotion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a touch of emotion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a slight or subtle expression of feeling in a situation, piece of writing, or artwork. Example: "The film was well-received, particularly for its storytelling, which had a touch of emotion that resonated with the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

This is Mr. Weiner in retreat, his face lined and drawn, a touch of emotion in his voice, even as he conveys a version of defiance.

The New York Times

They're very quietly whimsical, distancing themselves just far enough from minimalism so as to allow for a touch of emotion.

HuffPost

He has a touch of emotion because his mother is human, not a Vulcan, but he is taught to repress unwanted emotion and depend on reason and logic.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Mourinho's sacking will have caused a flash of emotion, a touch of excitement in Madrid.

The Guardian - Sport

Those expressions registered about 97 per cent neutrality, Macbeth said; the remaining three per cent included "little blips of emotion"   — a touch of sadness here, a hint of surprise there, but nothing significant.

Independent

Those expressions registered about 97percentt neutrality, Macbeth said; the remaining three percent included "little blips of emotion" — a touch of sadness here, a hint of surprise there, but nothing significant.

The Washington Post

So a bit of anger, a touch of beef and some raw emotion will maybe show off another side to the champion.

BBC

See, also, MVP Jesse Plemons, who plays the weirdo loner next door with a dryness that gives his character's raw emotions a touch of irony.

HuffPost

This powerful sequence, tightly packed with information and emotion and just a touch of black humor, would perk up the resume reel of many a Hollywood writer, director or cinematographer -- if it were not executed in its entirety by a teenager named Morgan Moss, who is in fact a "difficult" high school senior recording the details of his real Chicago-area suburban life.

The New York Times - Arts

Magnificent acting, fierce emotions, bitter conflict, a touch of young romance and splendid atmosphere are the rewards of this British film, adapted for the screen by James Kennaway from his own novel.

The New York Times

His strong strain of emotion stays mainly under the surface, which he adorns with a touch of comedy.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a touch of emotion" to subtly enhance descriptions, allowing readers to perceive underlying feelings without explicitly stating them. For example, "His voice had a touch of emotion as he spoke about his childhood."

Common error

Avoid using "a touch of emotion" too frequently in your writing, as it can become repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "a hint of emotion" or "a trace of emotion" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a touch of emotion" functions as a noun phrase, often used as an adverbial modifier to describe the manner in which something is expressed or perceived. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a touch of emotion" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that subtly conveys feeling. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and applicability in writing. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, and conveys the communicative purpose of imbuing a piece of writing with nuance without being overly demonstrative. The phrase has several similar substitutes as "a hint of emotion", "a trace of emotion", or "a shade of emotion".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a hint of emotion

Substitutes "touch" with "hint", suggesting a slightly more subtle or less noticeable expression.

a trace of emotion

Replaces "touch" with "trace", implying an even fainter or more delicate presence of feeling.

a shade of emotion

Uses "shade" instead of "touch", suggesting a nuanced or subtle variation in feeling.

a glimmer of emotion

Employs "glimmer" to indicate a brief or fleeting expression of feeling.

a suggestion of emotion

Replaces "touch" with "suggestion", implying a subtle indication or hint of feeling.

a wisp of emotion

Utilizes "wisp" to suggest a delicate and almost imperceptible expression.

a tinge of emotion

Uses "tinge" to convey a slight coloring or influence of feeling.

a whisper of emotion

Replaces "touch" with "whisper", indicating a very quiet or subdued expression of feeling.

a breath of emotion

Employs "breath" to indicate a momentary or fleeting expression of feeling.

a dash of feeling

Uses "dash" to suggest a small amount or addition of emotion.

FAQs

How can I use "a touch of emotion" in a sentence?

You can use "a touch of emotion" to describe a subtle expression of feeling, such as "Her voice had "a touch of emotion" when she spoke about her family."

What are some alternatives to "a touch of emotion"?

Alternatives include "a hint of emotion", "a trace of emotion", or "a shade of emotion", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "a touch of emotion" formal or informal?

"A touch of emotion" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

What does "a touch of emotion" mean?

"A touch of emotion" refers to a slight or subtle expression of feeling, suggesting that the emotion is present but not overwhelming.