be moved by something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be moved by something" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing emotional reactions or feelings in response to an event, story, or experience. Example: "She was deeply moved by the heartfelt speech given at the ceremony."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

I was trying to be moved, but I would have liked to be moved by something easier to be moved by.

The New Yorker

The reason why those films are there is if you know nothing about documentary and you know nothing about Doc/Fest and you just walk in and buy tickets for the films, you'll be moved by something".

The Guardian - Film

We can easily be moved by something that does not actually require much sacrifice on our part, and then we get to move on.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

He drew from Aristotle's observation that each thing in the universe that moves is moved by something else.

Encyclopedia Britannica

One of the themes of the book I wrote has to do with the fear some people have for the imagination, for their resistance to being moved by something that is invented: made up.

The Guardian - Books

It is difficult these days to confess to being moved by something as simple as the shape of a mountain, but too bad: the opportunities for being overwhelmed by the majesty of our habitat are few and far between.

The Guardian - Travel

When she is moved by something, she may write about it, which is what happened with her novel "Possessing the Secret of Joy" and her nonfiction book, "Warrior Marks," with Pratibha Parkar, both about female genital mutilation.

The New York Times - Books

Robert Frank, whose book "The Americans" (1958) treated subjects akin to many in the older photographer's work, put it harshly but justly: "He traveled all over the goddamned world, and you never felt that he was moved by something that was happening other than the beauty of it, or just the composition".

The New Yorker

When "the big one" (a father or grandfather, perhaps) is moved by something "the little one" says, he "suddenly wants to hold the little one in his arms, but he doesn't dare because he feels that the little one doesn't really want a hug at that moment".

The New York Times - Books

To the objection based on the well-known Aristotelian principle according to which "all that moves, is moved by something else," Henry replies that while this principle is valid for the material faculties, it cannot be applied in the same way to the spiritual faculties, since the latter possess a higher degree of perfection.

SEP

When Ebert was moved by something, I was moved.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be moved by something" when you want to emphasize the emotional impact an event or experience has on someone. For variety, consider using synonyms like "be touched by something" to add nuance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "be moved by something" in contexts that imply physical relocation. The phrase primarily refers to emotional influence, not the act of moving an object. Use alternatives like "was shifted" or "was relocated" to describe physical changes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be moved by something" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a subject experiences an emotional impact due to an external cause. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. It highlights the receptive role of the subject in response to a stimulus.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be moved by something" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase to convey that someone has experienced a significant emotional impact. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Though relatively rare, the phrase is suitable for neutral contexts, appearing in news, media, and scientific writing. When using this phrase, consider synonymous alternatives like "be touched by something" to add nuance. Be mindful to avoid using it in contexts implying physical movement. The phrase primarily conveys emotional influence. By understanding its function, purpose, and potential pitfalls, you can use "be moved by something" effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be touched by something

Similar in meaning, but emphasizes a gentle emotional impact.

be emotionally affected by something

More explicit about the emotional impact.

be stirred by something

Implies a strong emotional response, often leading to action.

find something moving

Active voice equivalent, directly stating the experience.

feel emotionally impacted by something

Similar to 'be emotionally affected', but emphasizes the feeling.

be affected by something

Indicates an influence or impact, which can be emotional but isn't necessarily.

be inspired by something

Highlights the motivational aspect of the experience.

be profoundly influenced by something

Emphasizes a deep, lasting impact on one's thoughts or actions.

be impressed by something

Focuses on admiration and respect rather than pure emotion.

be captivated by something

Suggests being charmed or fascinated, rather than deeply moved.

FAQs

What does it mean to "be moved by something"?

To "be moved by something" means to experience a strong emotional reaction, often involving feelings of sadness, joy, or inspiration. It suggests that something has had a significant emotional impact on you.

What are some synonyms for "be moved by something"?

You can use phrases like "be touched by something", "be affected by something", or "be stirred by something" as alternatives, depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How can I use "be moved by something" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe someone's emotional reaction to an event, story, or piece of art. For example, "She was deeply moved by the plight of the refugees."

Is "being moved by something" grammatically correct?

Yes, "being moved by something" is grammatically correct. It uses the present participle form of "be moved" and is often used to describe an ongoing state or a reason for a current feeling.