heart swelled

USAGE SUMMARY

"heart swelled" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a feeling of extreme pride or joy, as in the following example sentence: My heart swelled with pride as I watched my son give his graduation speech.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

He smiled at me; my heart swelled, my plate wobbled.

The New York Times

My heart swelled, and my skin went cold.

The New York Times

My heart swelled up big-time inside my chest".

The New Yorker

My heart swelled up, and I experienced a collision of desires.

The New Yorker

My heart swelled with pride and I resolved to become the best huntsman of my generation.

The Guardian - Books

But every time I gazed at the field, my heart swelled.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

My heart swells with admiration.

The New York Times

It made my heart swell with pride".

The New York Times - Magazine

Did my heart swell with new-found patriotism?

The Guardian - Opinion

"I liked it, too!" David had declared, heart swollen with pride, pledging loyalty to his king.

The New Yorker

Inside your wit, wisdom makes my heart swell – Bigger than your water-retaining feet.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and ensure the emotion aligns with the situation. "Heart swelled" is most appropriate for positive emotions; for negative emotions, different phrasing may be more effective.

Common error

Avoid using "heart swelled" to describe mild feelings or negative emotions such as sadness or anger. This phrase is best reserved for situations where a powerful, positive emotion is experienced. Overusing the phrase diminishes its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heart swelled" functions as a vivid description of an emotional state, specifically indicating that someone is experiencing a powerful surge of feeling, often positive. As Ludwig confirms, it's a valid and descriptive expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

HuffPost

8%

The New Yorker

4%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "heart swelled" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a potent surge of positive emotion, most often pride, joy, or gratitude. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and descriptive power. It's frequently found in news and media contexts, serving to vividly express emotional experiences. When writing, it's best to reserve it for situations where the emotion is strong and positive, avoiding overuse in mild or negative contexts. Related phrases include "heart filled with joy" or "heart overflowed with emotion", depending on the specific emotion. Ultimately, this phrase remains a valuable tool for adding emotional depth and impact to writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

heart filled with joy

Replaces "swelled" with "filled with joy", focusing on the emotion of happiness.

heart filled with pride

Replaces "swelled" with "filled with pride", emphasizing the feeling of accomplishment or admiration.

heart overflowed with emotion

Uses "overflowed with emotion" to indicate an abundance of feeling, making it a more dramatic expression.

chest swelled with pride

Specifies "chest" instead of "heart", focusing on the physical sensation of pride.

felt a surge of emotion

Replaces "heart swelled" with a more general "surge of emotion", suitable for various intense feelings.

heart soared

Similar to "heart lifted", but with a stronger sense of joy or triumph.

heart lifted

Indicates a feeling of happiness or relief, a lighter but related emotion.

felt a warmth in my heart

Uses "warmth" to express a gentle, positive emotion, often gratitude or affection.

was deeply moved

Expresses strong emotion experienced profoundly.

heart grew fonder

Emphasizes increasing affection or love.

FAQs

How can I use "heart swelled" in a sentence?

You can use "heart swelled" to describe a moment of overwhelming emotion, such as "My "heart swelled" with pride as I watched my daughter graduate" or "Her "heart swelled" with gratitude for the support she received".

What are some synonyms for "heart swelled"?

Alternatives to "heart swelled" include "heart filled with joy", "heart filled with pride", or "heart overflowed with emotion", depending on the specific emotion you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "heart swelled" in formal writing?

While "heart swelled" is generally acceptable, consider the tone of your writing. In highly formal contexts, a more restrained expression like "was deeply moved" might be more suitable.

Can "heart swelled" be used to describe negative emotions?

While technically possible, "heart swelled" is typically used for positive emotions like pride, joy, or gratitude. For negative emotions, phrases like "heart ached" or "heart sank" are more appropriate.