moved to tears

USAGE SUMMARY

"moved to tears" is a perfectly correct phrase that is often used in written English.
It can be used when someone is deeply moved by another's actions, words, or story, so much so that it causes tears. For example: His tribute to his grandmother at her funeral was so heartfelt everyone in the room was moved to tears.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Many were moved to tears.

The Guardian - Opinion

I was moved to tears.

Stanford University

Turner is easily moved to tears.

The New Yorker

Sutton was moved to tears.

The Washington Post

He was moved to tears.

The Washington Post

Some were moved to tears.

The Guardian - Music

I am moved to tears.

The Guardian

"I was moved to tears," Cymbala said.

The New York Times - Sports

Both times I've been moved to tears.

The Guardian - Music

The jurors were repeatedly moved to tears.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

I saw a cardinal when I was in Brooklyn and I was almost moved to tears".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "moved to tears" to express genuine and profound emotional responses to impactful events, stories, or expressions of kindness. Be mindful of the context to ensure it aligns with the intensity of the sentiment.

Common error

Avoid using "moved to tears" for minor inconveniences or commonplace events. Reserve the phrase for scenarios that genuinely evoke deep emotional responses to maintain its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "moved to tears" functions as a descriptive expression, indicating a state of being emotionally affected to the point of crying. Ludwig highlights its usage in describing reactions to impactful events and stories.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "moved to tears" effectively conveys a strong emotional response, indicating a moment when someone is deeply touched, saddened, or otherwise affected to the point of crying. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage, particularly in News & Media and Academia. When writing, it's best to reserve "moved to tears" for genuinely impactful situations to maintain its significance. Alternatives such as "overcome with emotion" or "deeply affected" can provide nuanced options for similar sentiments. Remember, the goal is to accurately reflect the depth of emotion while maintaining clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brought to the verge of tears

Implies almost crying, highlighting the intensity of the emotional experience.

reduced to tears

Highlights the crying aspect directly, emphasizing the intensity of the emotional response.

overcome with emotion

Indicates a feeling of being overwhelmed by strong emotions, similar to being moved to tears.

stirred to tears

Implies a profound emotional awakening leading to tears.

touched deeply

Suggests a profound emotional impact, often leading to feelings of gratitude or empathy.

deeply affected

Conveys a significant emotional impact, potentially resulting in tears or other strong reactions.

visibly touched

Describes an outward display of emotion, showing that someone is moved.

emotionally stirred

Indicates that someone's emotions have been strongly awakened, leading to a potential tearful response.

feeling sentimental

Implies a tender and nostalgic emotion, often bringing about tears.

heart full

Suggests a feeling of being completely filled with emotion, potentially leading to tears of joy or gratitude.

FAQs

What does it mean to be "moved to tears"?

Being "moved to tears" signifies experiencing a strong emotional response, often due to feelings of sadness, joy, gratitude, or empathy, leading one to cry.

How can I use "moved to tears" in a sentence?

You can use "moved to tears" to describe someone's emotional reaction, like: "She was "moved to tears" by the heartfelt speech."

What are some alternative ways to say "moved to tears"?

Alternatives include "overcome with emotion", "touched deeply", or "brought to the verge of tears", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to say someone was "moved to tears" in a formal setting?

Yes, it is appropriate, especially when describing a genuinely emotional moment. However, consider the formality of the setting and ensure the intensity of the phrase aligns with the context. You might opt for a more subdued phrase like "deeply affected" in certain professional environments.