it was really touching

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'it was really touching' is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is a way of expressing that a person was deeply moved after experiencing something. For example, "After hearing his late father's voice on an old home video, John said 'it was really touching'."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"It was really touching to think we've helped, even if it's in a small way".

The Guardian - Music

"It was really touching, but we kind of knew it was on thin ice.

The New York Times

"He just read through a few pages of the score and said, 'Yes, I'll do it.' It was really touching".

The Guardian - Music

When some of those surgeries were first done using the help of our technology, it was really touching for me".

The Guardian - Business

It just amazed me how this horse knew that this little boy needed him to do that... It's not anything earth-shattering, but it was really touching".

The Guardian

"It was really touching, to see the Chinese symphony sharing a stage with the Philadelphia Orchestra 40 years later," said Craig Hamilton, vice president of global initiatives and government relations for the Philadelphia Orchestra.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Dr. John F. Marcinak, an associate professor of pediatrics who worked 16 hours a day with the boy, said that in the first weeks of the case, "it was really touch and go".

The New York Times - Health

"It was really touch and go for a while, my parents were told several times that I would not live, and if I did I would be a vegetable, but I was determined to live," explained Arlen.

The Guardian - Sport

It's really touching".

The Guardian

It's really touching to see young kids [afflicted by diabetes] and their parents, and that just further cements my enthusiasm for working on this important medical problem.

Harvard University

"This top 10 is a very good example of how broad video gaming has become -- it's really touching on all ages," Mr. Ow said, noting that 7 of the top 10 games sold more than a million units each last year.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was really touching" when describing a specific moment or event that evoked a strong feeling of empathy, gratitude, or affection.

Common error

Avoid using "it was really touching" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated vocabulary to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was really touching" functions as an expression of sentiment or emotion. It conveys that something has had a significant impact on the speaker, evoking feelings of empathy, gratitude, or affection. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is commonly used to describe moving experiences.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was really touching" is a correct and fairly common phrase used to express that something evoked significant emotion in the speaker. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase follows standard English grammar and is commonly used. While acceptable in most contexts, it's crucial to consider your audience and choose more sophisticated vocabulary for highly formal or academic writing. Examples from Ludwig, primarily sourced from News & Media outlets, illustrate its use in conveying heartfelt reactions to various events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was truly touching

Simple change from 'really' to 'truly'.

it was deeply moving

Emphasizes the profound emotional impact.

it was quite poignant

Highlights the bittersweet nature of the experience.

it was incredibly heartwarming

Focuses on the positive, comforting aspect of the event.

it stirred my emotions

Emphasizes the internal emotional effect.

it resonated with me deeply

Focuses on the personal connection to the event.

it evoked a strong emotional response

More formal way to describe the emotional impact.

it tugged at my heartstrings

A more figurative way to describe emotional effect.

it left a lasting impression

Highlights the long-term impact of the experience.

it was an emotional experience

A general way to describe emotional effect.

FAQs

What does "it was really touching" mean?

The phrase "it was really touching" expresses that something evoked a strong feeling of empathy, gratitude, or affection in the speaker.

How can I use "it was really touching" in a sentence?

You can use "it was really touching" to describe a heartfelt moment, a kind gesture, or any event that stirred your emotions. For instance, "The soldier's reunion with his family after years apart, "it was really touching"".

What can I say instead of "it was really touching"?

You can use alternatives like "it was deeply moving", "it was incredibly heartwarming", or "it was quite poignant" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "it was really touching" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "it was really touching" might be considered too informal for certain types of formal writing. Consider using more elevated language, like "it evoked a strong emotional response", in academic or professional contexts.