it was very touching

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'it was very touching' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a moment or situation that evokes strong emotions of pity or sorrow. For example, "When the young girl read her poem for her late grandmother, it was very touching."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

It was very touching.

The New Yorker

And it was very touching.

The New York Times

It was very touching for me".

The Guardian - Arts

I went down to the intersection listed on the certificate, a Buick dealership, and it was very touching.

The New Yorker

This is not the edge that the Bolshoi's Chudin put on it — Angle was more relaxed, more American — but it was very touching.

The New Yorker

Once our crew settled them down and the trouble maker was removed, all the Indian men in the carriage came to apologise to Janette for such bad behaviour - it was very touching.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

"It was very touch and go for a long time," she said.

The New York Times

"It was very touch and go - and I was a millimetre from having to have open heart surgery," said the Birmingham City midfielder, who had her atrial septal defect (ASD) corrected with a device connected via a flexible tube inserted through her upper thigh.

BBC

It's very touching.

The Guardian - Film

It's very touching for reasons that are hard to define".

The Guardian - Music

"The Brazilian flag obviously means so many things, and for Formula One as well, so it's very touching.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was very touching" to describe moments that evoke feelings of sympathy, gratitude, or tenderness. Ensure the context clearly explains what caused the emotional response.

Common error

Avoid using "it was very touching" in situations where a more nuanced or specific emotional descriptor would be more appropriate. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was very touching" functions as a subjective comment expressing an emotional reaction. It describes something that evoked feelings of tenderness, sympathy, or gratitude. Ludwig AI shows it is mostly used to express a positive emotional reaction to an event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was very touching" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe an event, situation, or gesture that evokes a sense of tenderness, sympathy, or gratitude. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is most frequently found in News & Media sources and carries a neutral tone. While versatile, it's important to consider context and choose more specific emotional descriptors when appropriate. Alternatives like "it was deeply moving" or "it was heartwarming" can provide more nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was deeply moving

Emphasizes the profound emotional impact, suggesting a more intense reaction.

it was quite poignant

Highlights the bittersweet or melancholic aspect of the situation.

it was truly heartwarming

Focuses on the positive, comforting, and uplifting emotions experienced.

it was remarkably emotive

Stresses the capacity of the event or thing to evoke strong feelings.

it stirred my heart

A more figurative expression indicating a deep emotional response.

it left a lasting impression

Highlights the enduring impact of the experience or event.

it resonated with me

Suggests a personal connection and empathetic understanding.

it tugged at my heartstrings

Indicates a feeling of sadness or sympathy.

it brought tears to my eyes

Conveys a strong emotional response, often of sadness or gratitude.

it was a tearjerker

Informal term for something that causes one to cry.

FAQs

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

You can use "it was very touching" to describe an event, gesture, or situation that evokes a strong emotional response. For example, "The soldier's reunion with his family after many years "it was very touching"".

What's the difference between "it was very touching" and "it was very moving"?

While both phrases express a strong emotional impact, "it was very touching" often implies a sense of tenderness or sympathy, whereas "it was very moving" can refer to a broader range of emotions, including inspiration or awe. You can also use the alternative "it was deeply moving" to convey a stronger emotion.

What are some alternatives to "it was very touching"?

Alternatives include "it was heartwarming", "it was poignant", or "it was affecting", depending on the specific emotion you want to convey.

Is "it was very touching" formal or informal?

"It was very touching" is generally considered to be neutral in formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although in more formal settings, consider using alternatives with a more sophisticated vocabulary such as "it was remarkably emotive".