highly emotional

USAGE SUMMARY

'highly emotional' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe a situation or atmosphere that is emotionally charged, for example: The audience was highly emotional after the actor's powerful performance.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Highly emotional time, characterised by a 'rollercoaster' of emotions.

BMJ Open

Movements are highly emotional affairs.

Independent

"They were highly emotional about it.

The New Yorker

"The car's shape is highly emotional.

The New York Times

I'm a highly emotional human being.

The Guardian - Music

On the field, Pennington is highly emotional.

The New York Times - Sports

The atmosphere was highly charged and highly emotional.

The Guardian

Even highly emotional memories are susceptible to distortion.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We expect a highly emotional game next week.

The Guardian - Sport

There'll be tears soon, he looks highly emotional.

The Guardian - Sport

Johnson himself, for that matter, was a highly emotional writer.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation or event, use "highly emotional" to emphasize the strong feelings involved. For instance, "The reunion was a highly emotional experience for everyone involved."

Common error

While "highly emotional" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing it in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and nuanced language to convey the specific emotions involved. For instance, instead of saying "The research findings were highly emotional", specify that the findings were "distressing" or "inspiring".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highly emotional" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a strong emotional quality. It's often used to describe events, people, or situations that evoke intense feelings. Ludwig and its examples confirm its proper usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "highly emotional" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something characterized by intense feelings. As confirmed by Ludwig, its primary function is to modify nouns, emphasizing their emotional impact. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and opt for more precise language in formal writing to avoid overuse. The phrase sees frequent use in News & Media sources as Ludwig shows, making it a neutral and widely understood expression. When aiming for clarity and impact, "highly emotional" is a valuable addition to your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely sensitive

Emphasizes a heightened awareness and responsiveness to emotions.

deeply affected

Highlights the profound impact of emotions.

profoundly moved

Indicates being deeply touched or affected emotionally.

intensely sentimental

Focuses on the depth of feeling and sentimentality.

very passionate

Conveys strong enthusiasm and emotional intensity.

intensely reactive

Focuses on quick and strong emotional responses.

overwrought with feeling

Implies being overwhelmed by intense emotions.

fiercely expressive

Highlights the strong and open display of emotions.

viscerally charged

Highlights emotions that are felt in a deeply instinctive way.

excessively dramatic

Implies emotions that are exaggerated or theatrical.

FAQs

How can I use "highly emotional" in a sentence?

You can use "highly emotional" to describe situations, people, or events that evoke strong feelings. For example, "The movie's climax was a "highly emotional" moment for the audience".

What are some alternatives to saying "highly emotional"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "intensely sentimental", "deeply affected", or "extremely sensitive".

Is it correct to say "highly emotional", or should I use a different phrase?

"Highly emotional" is a correct and commonly used phrase. Its suitability depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey. Alternatives may be more appropriate in certain cases.

What does "highly emotional" mean?

"Highly emotional" means experiencing or expressing strong feelings. It describes something characterized by intense emotions, such as sadness, joy, anger, or fear.