are heartbreaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are heartbreaking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that causes deep emotional pain or sadness. Example: "The stories of those affected by the disaster are heartbreaking and highlight the need for immediate assistance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The stories are heartbreaking.

The New York Times

Some are heartbreaking.

The New Yorker

Their stories are heartbreaking.

The New York Times

The scientific data are heartbreaking.

The New York Times - Science

They are heartbreaking in their ordinariness.

The New York Times - Arts

The students' stories are heartbreaking, says Mulrenan.

The Guardian

All Pixar movies are heartbreaking, aren't they?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Listening to their stories, their stories are heartbreaking".

The New York Times - Arts

The politics are as disheartening as the casualties are heartbreaking.

The New Yorker

They are heartbreaking, but they are more than that, too.

The Washington Post

The letters, more than a hundred years later, are heartbreaking.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are heartbreaking" to describe situations, stories, or images that evoke strong feelings of sadness, grief, or emotional distress. Ensure the subject of the sentence is plural to match the verb "are".

Common error

Avoid using "is heartbreaking" when referring to plural subjects. "Is heartbreaking" should only be used with singular nouns or uncountable nouns (e.g., "The story is heartbreaking").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are heartbreaking" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the subject of a sentence by expressing that it evokes intense sorrow or emotional distress. Ludwig provides many examples across different contexts that prove its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are heartbreaking" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe situations or stories that evoke strong feelings of sadness, grief, or emotional distress. Ludwig highlights that it's most frequently used in news and media contexts. When using the phrase, ensure proper subject-verb agreement, avoiding the common error of using "is heartbreaking" with plural subjects. For alternative phrases, consider "are deeply saddening" or "are profoundly distressing" to convey similar meanings. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are deeply saddening

Emphasizes the depth of the sadness caused.

are profoundly distressing

Highlights the level of emotional upset and suffering involved.

are extremely upsetting

Focuses on the disturbance and unease caused by the situation.

are intensely painful

Emphasizes the emotional pain and suffering.

are truly devastating

Highlights the destructive impact and overwhelming nature of the situation.

are emotionally shattering

Focuses on the severe emotional damage caused.

are tear-jerking

Suggests the situation is likely to cause tears and strong emotions.

are causing immense grief

Highlights the great sorrow and mourning produced.

are a source of great anguish

Emphasizes the intense suffering and torment experienced.

evoke deep sorrow

Focuses on the profound sadness that the situation brings about.

FAQs

How can I use "are heartbreaking" in a sentence?

Use "are heartbreaking" to describe situations or stories that evoke strong feelings of sadness or grief. For instance, "The stories of refugees are heartbreaking".

What alternatives can I use instead of "are heartbreaking"?

You can use alternatives like "are deeply saddening", "are profoundly distressing", or "are extremely upsetting" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "is heartbreaking" instead of "are heartbreaking"?

The correctness depends on the subject. Use "is heartbreaking" with singular subjects (e.g., "The news is heartbreaking"), and "are heartbreaking" with plural subjects (e.g., "The stories are heartbreaking").

What's the difference between "are heartbreaking" and "are sad"?

"Are heartbreaking" implies a more intense emotional impact than "are sad". Heartbreaking suggests profound sorrow and distress, while "are sad" is a more general expression of unhappiness.