move the heart

USAGE SUMMARY

"move the heart" is a valid phrase in written English.
It is generally used when referring to an emotional response, similar to phrases like "touch the heart" or "stir the heart". For example, "Her poignant story moved the heart of many in the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Duccio's images are intended to move the heart not the mind.

The Economist

The power of the voice to move the heart is as powerful as the argument to convince the mind".

The New York Times - Arts

The words, pictures and graphics that are the stuff of journalism have to be brilliantly packaged; they must feed the mind and move the heart".

The Guardian

(Here a low heart works equally well, but move the heart nine or ten from South to North, and the jack-lead is necessary to get four tricks in the suit).

The New York Times

When New Order fails to move — move the feet, move the heart — it is because the music and the image recede too far into the group's expected pattern, so that the gap between the band and the listener is no longer mysterious but, rather, vacant.

The New Yorker

As Martin Luther King said, laws do not move the heart, but they restrain the heartless - those who have built the dictatorship of the present benefitting them at the expense of the future of life on earth.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The 1920s, of course, were the golden age of luxury automobiles, vehicles of such beauty and style that they still move the hearts of even the most non-mechanical.

Forbes

We need leaders who not only move the hearts and minds of American women, but women all over the world, who make up over 50% of the world's population, and have enormous power to create true change.

Huffington Post

"We are interested in anything that moves the butt and moves the heart," Mr. Bangle said.

The New York Times

(To give a full analysis of this deal would take column feet, not inches. If you are curious, do not forget to analyze the effect of moving the heart ten from East to West).

The New York Times

It blows the mind, moves the heart, and makes us all believers.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "move the heart" to describe actions, stories, or art that deeply affect someone emotionally, creating a feeling of empathy, compassion, or profound connection.

Common error

Avoid using "move the heart" in formal, technical, or scientific writing. This phrase is best suited for creative writing or when describing subjective emotional experiences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "move the heart" functions as a verb phrase where "move" acts as a transitive verb, taking "heart" as its direct object. According to Ludwig, it's valid. The phrase signifies causing a strong emotional response in someone. This is supported by examples where it describes art or stories that deeply affect people.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "move the heart" is a grammatically sound and semantically rich phrase used to convey the act of evoking deep emotions, primarily compassion and empathy. According to Ludwig, it’s a valid expression. While not overly common, its presence in credible news and media sources indicates its recognized usage. Consider using this phrase when aiming to describe something that profoundly touches someone's feelings, though avoid overuse in formal or technical writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

touch the emotions

Focuses on eliciting an emotional response.

stir the soul

Emphasizes a deeper, more profound emotional impact.

evoke compassion

Highlights the specific emotion of compassion.

inspire empathy

Focuses on creating a shared feeling or understanding.

ignite passion

Suggests a sudden and intense emotional arousal.

deeply affect

Highlights the profound influence on someone's emotions.

leave a lasting impression

Emphasizes a lasting emotional memory.

warm the heart

Suggests a comforting and pleasant emotional experience.

captivate the imagination

Shifts the focus to imaginative inspiration rather than direct emotion.

strike a chord

Indicates a feeling of resonance or recognition.

FAQs

How can I use "move the heart" in a sentence?

You can use "move the heart" to describe something that evokes strong emotions, for example: "The story of the rescued animals really moved the heart of the nation."

What does it mean to "move the heart"?

To "move the heart" means to evoke strong emotions, especially feelings of compassion, sympathy, or inspiration.

What can I say instead of "move the heart"?

You can use alternatives like "touch the emotions", "stir the soul", or "evoke compassion", depending on the specific emotion you want to emphasize.

Is "move the heart" a common expression?

While not extremely common, "move the heart" is a recognizable and valid expression often found in literature and expressive writing.