express an emotion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "express an emotion" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing feelings, reactions, or artistic expressions. Example: "The poem aims to express an emotion that resonates with the reader." Alternative expressions include "convey a feeling" and "communicate an emotion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

The heart spread rapidly among Japanese teenagers because it allowed them to express an emotion that was almost impossible to portray in small snippets of text.

The New York Times

This choreography pursued a hammy old dance-expressionist rule: "Never express an emotion to the left that you don't also express to the right, preferably several times either way".

The New York Times - Arts

Clinton, who can hardly express an emotion in public without her ability to lead being called into question, didn't have that luxury, and she didn't try to indulge in it.

The Guardian - Opinion

One-click interaction: Retweet, reshare, reply, Like, Upvote/Downvote, or (in Facebook's case) express an emotion, all with a single finger twitch.

TechCrunch

There is no other way to be conscious of an emotion; to express an emotion is to be conscious of it.

SEP

The teacher works to help the children constructively express an emotion using words rather than action, think about alternative ways to resolve the problem, make an informed decision between two articulated choices, and develop social skills by understanding the emotion of another.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

It's just expressing an emotion, and the narrative is static for three, four minutes.

The New York Times - Arts

They understand that their friend, in their own way, is expressing an emotion they may not have words for.

The Guardian - Opinion

Those churches, he wrote, expressed "an emotion, the deepest man ever felt — the struggle of his own littleness to grasp the infinite".

The New York Times

Rather than expressing an emotion or a thought, Britain is portrayed as having a desire.

Functional Linguistics

We are doing something altogether different: taking a stand, or expressing an emotion, or prescribing something.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about emotional expression, consider the context and choose specific verbs that accurately reflect the nuance of the emotion being conveyed. For example, instead of generally stating someone "expresses an emotion", use verbs like "radiates joy", "betrays sadness", or "exudes confidence".

Common error

Avoid using "express an emotion" as a catch-all phrase. Instead, be specific about the type of expression. For example, instead of saying "The character expressed an emotion", clarify whether they "verbalized their frustration", "displayed their affection", or "suppressed their anger".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "express an emotion" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun, typically serving as the predicate of a sentence. It describes the act of outwardly manifesting or communicating an internal feeling, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

32%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "express an emotion" is a grammatically correct and neutrally registered way to describe the act of outwardly manifesting or communicating a feeling. Ludwig AI identifies its function as a predicate, explaining how it describes actions from interpersonal relationships to artistic media. Though it appears less frequently than other similar phrases, according to Ludwig the phrase is common in contexts such as "News & Media" and "Science". For more impactful and precise writing, consider alternatives such as "convey a feeling" or specify the mode of expression—verbalizing, displaying, or suppressing—for added clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

convey a feeling

Focuses on the transmission of a feeling from one person to another, emphasizing communication.

communicate an emotion

Highlights the act of making an emotion known or understood by others through various means.

show a feeling

Simple and direct, emphasizing the outward display of an internal state.

reveal an emotion

Suggests an emotion that was previously hidden or not readily apparent is now being disclosed.

manifest an emotion

Implies that an emotion is becoming apparent through outward signs or behavior.

articulate a feeling

Focuses on expressing an emotion clearly and effectively through words.

externalize an emotion

Highlights the act of bringing an internal emotion to the outside world, often through creative expression or behavior.

give vent to an emotion

Suggests releasing an emotion, often in a sudden or forceful way.

air a feeling

Implies openly expressing a feeling that may have been suppressed.

evince an emotion

A more formal way of saying to show or indicate an emotion.

FAQs

How can I use "express an emotion" in a sentence?

You can use "express an emotion" to describe the act of showing or communicating a feeling. For example: "The artist used vibrant colors to express an emotion of joy" or "It's important to express an emotion honestly in relationships."

What can I say instead of "express an emotion"?

You can use alternatives like "convey a feeling", "communicate an emotion", or "show a feeling" depending on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to "express an emotion" openly?

While expressing emotions can be healthy, it's not always necessary or appropriate to do so openly. The context, relationship dynamics, and personal comfort levels should be considered. Sometimes, subtly "reveal an emotion" is more suitable.

How does "express an emotion" differ from "understanding an emotion"?

"Express an emotion" refers to the outward demonstration of a feeling, while "understanding an emotion" involves recognizing and comprehending the feeling itself. One can understand an emotion without necessarily expressing it, and vice versa.