has no heart

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has no heart" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used metaphorically to describe someone who is perceived as lacking compassion or empathy. Example: "After witnessing his cruel actions, I couldn't help but think that he truly has no heart."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Sports

Politics

Personal Opinions

Figurative Language

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

"She has no heart".

The New York Times

"The law has no heart," he said.

The New Yorker

"The city has no heart.

The New York Times

Whoever doesn't miss it has no heart".

The Guardian - Books

"She has no heart," said one.

The New York Times

It has no heart," the elder Mr. Blum said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Mr. Chan's trek to the top of the culinary world was long and hard; he has no heart-warming stories to tell about growing up with Grandma's traditional recipes and aspirations of culinary greatness.

The New York Times

You have no heart.

The New Yorker

She had no heart at all".

The Guardian

"They have no heart for it".

The New York Times

Scott once said Malone had no heart.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has no heart" when you want to express that someone or something lacks compassion, empathy, or moral consideration. Ensure the context is clear and that the intended meaning is to highlight a lack of emotional warmth or concern for others.

Common error

Avoid using "has no heart" in highly formal or academic writing, as it can sound overly emotive or informal. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "lacks compassion" or "demonstrates insensitivity" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has no heart" functions primarily as a predicate nominative or predicate adjective, attributing a quality (lack of compassion or empathy) to the subject. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is both grammatically correct and usable, and it effectively conveys a negative emotional assessment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

10%

Arts

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has no heart" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that someone or something lacks compassion or empathy. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While highly effective in conveying a strong negative sentiment, it should be used judiciously in formal writing, where more neutral alternatives may be more appropriate. The related phrases, such as "lacks compassion" or "is devoid of empathy", offer nuanced alternatives for expressing a similar sentiment. Overall, "has no heart" is a powerful idiom for denoting a perceived absence of kindness or emotional warmth.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is heartless

Directly states the absence of a caring or emotional nature.

lacks compassion

Focuses specifically on the absence of compassionate feelings.

is devoid of empathy

Highlights the inability to understand or share the feelings of others.

is unfeeling

Emphasizes a general lack of sensitivity.

is cold-hearted

Suggests a deliberate and ingrained lack of warmth.

is callous

Indicates a hardened insensitivity to the suffering of others.

shows no mercy

Highlights the absence of forgiveness or leniency.

is ruthless

Implies a determination to succeed without regard for others' feelings.

is insensitive

Points out a lack of awareness or consideration for the feelings of others.

is without sympathy

Emphasizes the absence of shared feelings of sorrow or pity.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone "has no heart"?

Saying someone "has no heart" means they are perceived as lacking compassion, empathy, or kindness. It suggests they are emotionally cold and uncaring in their actions and decisions.

What are some alternative ways to say "has no heart"?

You can use alternatives like "lacks compassion", "is heartless", or "is devoid of empathy" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use the phrase "has no heart" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "has no heart" can be considered informal or overly emotional for formal writing. More neutral alternatives like "lacks compassion" or "is insensitive" are often preferred in professional or academic contexts.

Can the phrase "has no heart" be used to describe things other than people?

Yes, "has no heart" can be used figuratively to describe things like organizations or systems that are perceived as being uncaring or impersonal. For example, "The law "has no heart"; it only deals with facts."