it was very heartbreaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was very heartbreaking" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express deep emotional pain or sadness about a situation or event. Example: "When I heard about the tragedy, it was very heartbreaking to see how many lives were affected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"It was very heartbreaking last time".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"It's very heartbreaking," Sergeant Reid said.

The New York Times

"It's very heartbreaking for everyone involved," Wagenhofer said.

The Guardian

"For me, it's very heartbreaking," said Mickelson, a six-time runner-up in this championship.

The New York Times - Sports

But when the evidence of what happened in that building becomes more public, it's very heartbreaking stuff".

The New York Times

"It's very heartbreaking," she said, "to see someone survive such a terrible disease and then go like that".

The New York Times

It's very heartbreaking, there is a certain enthusiasm but we only managed to bring in four trucks so far that we have offloaded.

The Guardian

On the one hand, hearing those stories, bearing witness to those stories -- I can't stress that term enough, "bearing witness to them" -- was very heartbreaking.

Los Angeles Times

That is very heartbreaking.

The New Yorker

"That was very heartbreaking". Her first role came at 13, in a teen love story called "Adolescence". Then came a whirlwind variety of projects--dancing in Hollywood supper clubs, earning a journalism degree from Columbia University in New York, appearing on the covers of Ladies Home Journal and Redbook, performing dramatic theater in West Los Angeles, playing parts in TV serials.

Los Angeles Times

For her part, a tearful Janelle admitted that "it would be very heartbreaking for me to see them not participate in something that's brought me a lot of joy".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was very heartbreaking" to express sincere empathy or sorrow when describing events that cause emotional pain. Ensure the context is appropriate for a genuine expression of sadness.

Common error

Avoid using "it was very heartbreaking" to describe minor inconveniences or disappointments. Reserve it for situations genuinely deserving of significant emotional expression to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was very heartbreaking" functions as a declarative statement expressing a strong emotional reaction to a specific event or situation. It combines the pronoun 'it' with a past tense verb and an adjective phrase to convey sadness. Ludwig confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

18%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was very heartbreaking" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey profound sadness or empathy. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, academic discussions and scientific reports. While it’s a common expression, it should be reserved for situations genuinely deserving of emotional expression to avoid diluting its impact. Consider using alternatives like "it was deeply saddening" or "it was truly devastating" for nuanced emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was incredibly tragic

Emphasizes the severity and unfortunate nature of the event.

it broke my heart

A more personal and emotional expression of sadness.

it was deeply saddening

Replaces "heartbreaking" with a synonym emphasizing the feeling of sadness.

it was extremely upsetting

Focuses on the emotional distress caused by the situation.

it was acutely distressing

Focuses on the intense mental or emotional suffering caused.

it was truly devastating

Conveys a sense of overwhelming shock and ruin.

it was a source of great sorrow

Highlights the deep sadness and grief associated with the event.

it was a gut-wrenching experience

Uses visceral language to describe a deeply emotional and unpleasant event.

it was profoundly disappointing

Highlights the feeling of disillusionment or unmet expectations.

it was painful to witness

Emphasizes the discomfort and emotional strain of observing the situation.

FAQs

How can I use "it was very heartbreaking" in a sentence?

You can use "it was very heartbreaking" to describe a situation that caused deep sadness or emotional pain. For instance, "It was very heartbreaking to see the refugees struggling to find shelter".

What can I say instead of "it was very heartbreaking"?

You can use alternatives like "it was deeply saddening", "it was extremely upsetting", or "it was truly devastating" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "it was very heartbreaking", or should I use another phrase?

Saying "it was very heartbreaking" is grammatically correct and widely accepted. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. However, consider the context and desired impact when choosing between this and alternatives like "it was incredibly tragic" or "it broke my heart".

What's the difference between "it was very heartbreaking" and "it was a little heartbreaking"?

"It was very heartbreaking" implies a significant degree of sadness and emotional impact. "It was a little heartbreaking", on the other hand, suggests a milder level of sadness or disappointment. The choice depends on the intensity of the emotion you want to express.