make my heart ache

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "make my heart ache" is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase is usually used to express one's feeling of sadness or longing. For example: "Listening to that song always makes my heart ache."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Quixote and Chichikov really make my heart ache.

The New Yorker

In December, after the arrival of boatloads of former slaves, Elizabeth James reported, "I see sights, often, often, that make my heart ache, & which I have no power to relieve".

The New York Times

The pictures make my heart ache.

Huffington Post

"I am very disturbed by these anonymous allegations, which make my heart ache.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It made my heart ache".

The New York Times - Magazine

It makes my heart ache for my younger daughters.

The New York Times

"He makes my heart ache and my stomach flutter".

The Guardian - Books

"Seeing my mother lying on that bed, it made my heart ache," Ms Dong said.

Independent

This article was another opportunity to connect, and the photos were lovely — made my heart ache.

The New York Times - Magazine

Seeing one person literally stand for another, without help, made my heart ache.

The New Yorker

I was born in London and the beauty of this place makes my heart ache.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make my heart ache" to convey deep emotional resonance, especially when describing situations evoking sadness, longing, or empathy. Ensure that the context aligns with the intensity of the phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "make my heart ache" in trivial situations. Overusing it can dilute its emotional impact and make your writing sound melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make my heart ache" functions as an idiomatic expression to convey a feeling of deep sorrow, longing, or empathy. This is substantiated by Ludwig and its analysis of numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

12%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make my heart ache" is a grammatically sound and emotionally evocative expression used to describe feelings of sorrow, longing, or empathy. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it's important to use the phrase judiciously, reserving it for situations that genuinely warrant such a strong emotional expression. Alternatives like "break my heart" or "fill me with sorrow" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context. Found predominantly in news and media sources, the phrase carries a neutral register, making it suitable for expressing heartfelt emotions in a variety of contexts without sounding overly formal or informal. The relatively uncommon frequency suggests that its impact is strongest when used deliberately and sparingly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

break my heart

Implies a more acute and immediate sense of heartbreak or disappointment.

leave me heartbroken

Focuses on the resulting state of being after experiencing significant emotional pain.

cause me deep sadness

Highlights the intensity and profoundness of the speaker's sorrow.

fill me with sorrow

Emphasizes the feeling of sadness or grief experienced by the speaker.

weigh heavily on my heart

Suggests a burden of sorrow or concern that impacts the speaker's well-being.

tug at my heartstrings

Implies a gentle yet poignant emotional effect, often invoking sympathy or tenderness.

bring tears to my eyes

Describes the physical manifestation of sadness or strong emotion.

cause me great distress

Highlights the speaker's feeling of unease, anxiety, or suffering.

stir my emotions

Indicates a general arousal of feelings, which may include sadness or longing.

evoke feelings of longing

Specifically points to the sensation of yearning or missing someone or something.

FAQs

How can I use "make my heart ache" in a sentence?

You can use "make my heart ache" to describe feelings of sadness or longing caused by a person, situation, or memory. For example, "Seeing the old photographs made my heart ache for the past."

What are some alternatives to "make my heart ache"?

Alternatives include "break my heart", "fill me with sorrow", or "cause me deep sadness" depending on the specific emotion you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "make my heart ache"?

Yes, "make my heart ache" is grammatically correct and a common idiom used to express feelings of sadness or longing.

What's the difference between "make my heart ache" and "break my heart"?

"Make my heart ache" suggests a lingering sadness or longing, while "break my heart" implies a more sudden and intense emotional pain or disappointment.