emotional

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'emotional' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to someone’s strong feelings or deep sentiments towards someone or something. Example: The mother was overwhelmed with emotional joy when seeing her daughter for the first time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Farage was the only leader to provoke an emotional reaction, earning laughs and applause from at least two of the male viewers, who had voted Lib Dem and Labour in 2010.

The Guardian

This is much worse than apathy: a sort of emotional CJD.

The Guardian

Still, the story ends with a glorious flourish that should be pure feelgood cheese but actually comes across as uncontrived and genuinely emotional (it would be a crime to spoil it).

The Guardian - Film

The rich can fail to develop sensible long-term financial plans of the kind that all of us can and should do; they still have to cope with the emotional fallout of personal tragedies like Sandberg's.

The Guardian - Money

"We can offer a space for shy students to reflect on their experience," says a university spokeswoman, "along with structured time with professional emotional practitioners to explore possible contexts of their shyness, and practical tips and tools, such as mindfulness and CBT".

The Guardian

Cameron's move added a sour taste to the highly emotional celebrations among supporters of the union after their decisive win in the referendum.

The Guardian

"It has been a long and emotional trial for me and my family," he said shortly after the ruling.

The Guardian

They are incredibly melancholy, with a strong emotional core, while remaining absolutely terrifying.

The Guardian - Film

With its clean prose, timeless political relevance, and emotional charge, the play was probably one of the few texts capable of engaging the sceptical Scot's interest.

The Guardian - Film

For all its reputation for causing emotional mayhem, puberty might be a stabilising force on our perceptions.

The Guardian

"If you're a vulnerable, insecure, young person – who has no emotional resilience and you're suddenly one of 240 in year 7, that's tough".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events, use "emotional" to convey the depth of feeling involved, providing context and insight into the experiences of individuals or groups.

Common error

Avoid using "emotional" excessively in formal or academic writing where objectivity is key. Opt for more neutral descriptors to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "emotional" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something related to emotions or characterized by emotion. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a widely accepted and used word in the English language.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "emotional" is a common and versatile adjective used to describe anything related to emotions. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, "emotional" helps convey the intensity or nature of feelings, providing deeper understanding. While it's appropriate for general use, being mindful of overuse, especially in formal writing, is key to maintaining clarity and objectivity. Consider alternatives like "affective" or "heartfelt" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

affective

Focuses on the experience of feeling or affect.

heartfelt

Emphasizes sincerity and depth of feeling.

passionate

Highlights intense enthusiasm or desire.

sentimental

Indicates a tendency to dwell on tender emotions.

expressive

Describes the outward display of emotions.

sensitive

Suggests a quickness to feel emotions.

moving

Capable of arousing intense emotions.

touching

Evokes feelings of tenderness or sympathy.

stirring

Excites or inspires strong feeling.

fervent

Demonstrates great intensity of feeling.

FAQs

How can I use "emotional" in a sentence?

You can use "emotional" to describe a state, reaction, or situation involving strong feelings. For example, "The movie had an emotional impact on the audience".

What are some alternatives to "emotional"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "affective", "heartfelt", or "passionate".

Is it appropriate to use "emotional" in academic writing?

While "emotional" is a valid word, its use in academic writing should be considered carefully. More objective or precise language might be more suitable depending on the context.

What's the difference between "emotional" and "sentimental"?

"Emotional" is a general term referring to feelings, while "sentimental" often implies a nostalgic or tender feeling, sometimes to an excessive degree.