he was moved

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "he was moved" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that someone was emotionally affected by something. For example, "The story of overcoming adversity moved him to tears".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was moved again.

The Guardian

Mr Renzi said he was "moved".

The Economist

Just this morning he was moved.

The New Yorker

He was moved nearly to tears.

The New Yorker

Then he was moved to Bucca.

The Guardian

"He was moved," Ward said.

The New York Times - Sports

He was moved sideways into another role.

The Guardian - Sport

So he was moved to reach out to the bureau.

The New York Times

Payne looked taken aback; he was moved, surely.

The New Yorker

He was moved to Mott's stable in February.

The New York Times - Sports

He was moved into the civilian system last year.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he was moved" to describe emotional impact, ensure the context clearly indicates what caused the emotional response to avoid ambiguity. For example, "He was moved by her story of resilience".

Common error

Avoid using "he was moved" solely to indicate a change in physical location, as it primarily conveys emotional impact. Instead, use "he was transferred" or "he was relocated" for physical changes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was moved" functions as a passive construction indicating that the subject experienced a change, typically an emotional or physical one. Ludwig AI indicates it is correct and usable in written English. Examples show its use across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Wiki

13%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

4%

Science

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he was moved" is a versatile expression primarily used to indicate that someone experienced a significant emotional impact or a change in physical location. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While it's more commonly associated with emotional responses, it can also refer to physical relocation. When using the phrase, consider the context to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity, and remember to use alternatives like "he felt touched" for purely emotional contexts or "he was relocated" for physical ones.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was touched emotionally

Specifically highlights the emotional aspect of being touched or affected.

he felt touched

Focuses on the emotional feeling of being affected, specifically a sense of tenderness or gratitude.

he was stirred

Highlights a strong emotional response, similar to being moved, but perhaps more intense.

he was affected

A more general term indicating influence or impact, not necessarily emotional.

he was inspired

Highlights that someone felt motivation or positive influence to achieve something new

he experienced emotion

A more clinical or descriptive way of saying someone felt emotion, lacking the nuance of "moved".

he was relocated

Emphasizes a change in physical location rather than an emotional state.

he was transferred

Suggests a formal change in position or place, often within an organization.

he underwent a shift

Suggests a change or transformation, not necessarily linked to emotional influence.

he had a change of heart

Indicates a change in opinion or feeling, often implying a significant decision.

FAQs

How can I use "he was moved" in a sentence?

The phrase "he was moved" expresses that someone has been emotionally affected by something. For example, "He was moved by the performance".

What can I say instead of "he was moved"?

You can use alternatives like "he felt touched", "he was affected", or "he was stirred" depending on the context.

Does "he was moved" only refer to emotions?

While "he was moved" often implies emotional impact, it can also describe a change in physical location, though this usage is less common and can be ambiguous. Consider saying "he was relocated".

Is it correct to use "he was moved" in formal writing?

Yes, "he was moved" is appropriate for formal writing when used to describe an emotional response. Its formality depends more on the surrounding vocabulary than the phrase itself.