cheap emotion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cheap emotion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe feelings or expressions that are perceived as insincere, superficial, or lacking depth. Example: "The movie relied heavily on cheap emotion, using manipulative music to evoke tears without genuine character development."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

There's not a cheap emotion or a predictable conclusion to be found in "Assorted Fire Events".

The New York Times - Books

"There's not a cheap emotion or a predictable conclusion to be found," Maria Russo wrote here in 2000.

The New York Times - Books

While those facts seems to shriek of movie-of-the-week sappiness, the film has barely a trace of cheap emotion.

The New York Times

This wasn't cheap emotion: it represents a massive and irreversible climbdown from the belief that Sweden alone in Europe, almost alone in the world, could offer refuge to anyone who truly deserved it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Kitsch is a means to cheap emotion.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

They think they're beyond cheap emotions, false hopes, self-indulgent despair, easy answers.

The New York Times

He shamelessly seduced juries with his common man routine — the rumpled suits and suspenders, the gentle country drawl — and his extraordinary closing statements, which he packed with philosophy, poetry and cheap emotions meant to make men cry.

The New York Times - Books

"One thinks what a writer with a great eye for poetical effect like Mr Meredith would have made of such an idea; whereas Mr Wells is content with describing the cheap emotions of a few bank clerks and newspaper touts".

The Guardian - Books

One of the playwright Dennis Potter's most memorable sayings was that he thought nostalgia was a "second order emotion" – cheap, deceitful and misleading.

Independent

If it causes tears to flow, well that is the nature of the circumstances, and not a cheap way to wrest emotion from the audience.

Huffington Post

And wasn't I being a cheap tourist of the emotions when, long before anyone had heard of Andrea Bocelli, I sat by the radio in the dark kitchen with my mother and listened to Gigli or Caruso himself sobbing out Core 'ngrato.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cheap emotion" to critique art or media that attempts to manipulate the audience's feelings without genuine substance. For example, "The film relied on "cheap emotion" to mask its weak plot."

Common error

Avoid using "cheap emotion" when describing authentic emotional experiences. "Cheap emotion" implies a lack of sincerity, so ensure your word choice accurately reflects the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cheap emotion" functions primarily as a descriptive term, modifying the noun "emotion" with the adjective "cheap". It characterizes emotions as being of low quality, insincere, or manipulative, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cheap emotion" serves as a critical descriptor for sentiments perceived as insincere or manipulative. As Ludwig's AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable, appearing mainly in news and media contexts. It is used to critique art, media, or rhetoric that attempts to sway audiences without genuine depth. While "cheap emotion" is acceptable in English, it's crucial to use it accurately, distinguishing it from genuine emotional experiences. Alternatives such as "shallow sentiment" or "superficial feeling" offer similar nuanced critiques of emotional expression. When aiming for authentic and profound emotional impact, be wary of resorting to what could be perceived as "cheap emotion".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shallow sentiment

Focuses on the lack of depth and genuineness in the feeling expressed.

superficial feeling

Highlights the surface-level nature of the emotion, suggesting it is not deeply felt.

contrived emotion

Suggests the emotion is artificially created or forced, rather than genuine.

insincere sentimentality

Emphasizes the lack of sincerity behind the outward display of emotion.

artificial pathos

Implies that the emotion is manufactured to elicit sympathy or sadness.

empty affectation

Indicates the emotion is a pretense or show, lacking real feeling.

forced sentiment

Highlights the imposed or unnatural quality of the expressed emotion.

hokey emotion

Suggests a lack of sophistication and an over-the-top quality to the displayed feeling.

affected feeling

Focuses on the emotion being a deliberate act or pretense to impress.

false emotion

Denotes the emotion as not genuine or truthful.

FAQs

How can I use "cheap emotion" in a sentence?

"Cheap emotion" is used to describe feelings or expressions that are seen as insincere, superficial, or manipulative. For instance, "The politician's speech was full of "cheap emotion", designed to sway voters with sentimentality rather than substance."

What is a synonym for "cheap emotion"?

Alternatives to "cheap emotion" include "shallow sentiment", "superficial feeling", or "contrived emotion", all of which imply a lack of depth or authenticity.

What does it mean when someone accuses something of using "cheap emotion"?

When someone accuses something of using "cheap emotion", they typically mean that it is manipulating the audience's feelings in a way that is insincere or unearned. It suggests the work lacks genuine depth and relies on superficial tactics to evoke an emotional response.

Is it ever appropriate to aim for "cheap emotion" in creative work?

Generally, aiming for "cheap emotion" is seen as a negative approach in creative work, as it prioritizes manipulation over authentic storytelling and character development. However, in certain satirical or parodic contexts, it might be intentionally used for comedic effect or to critique overly sentimental works.