overwhelming emotion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "overwhelming emotion" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to describe a feeling that is extremely strong and intense. Example: The news of her grandmother's passing filled her with overwhelming emotion, as she had been very close to her and unable to say goodbye.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Its overwhelming emotion stayed in my mind.

The Guardian - Film

And Mr. Schreibman cannot visit the area without overwhelming emotion.

The New York Times

He doesn't like overwhelming emotion in the theatre.

The Guardian

The overwhelming emotion in "A Tale of Love and Darkness" is of loss.

The New Yorker

The halting phrases of the song suggest the overwhelming emotion Desirée is just keeping in check.

The New York Times

The overwhelming emotion in the White House was one of joy.

The New York Times

"The overwhelming emotion is one of pride," the Leinster head coach, Matt O'Connor, said.

The Guardian - Sport

From fans, the overwhelming emotion appears to be healthy respect rather than devotion.

The Guardian - Sport

Poitras couldn't bring herself to watch all the raw footage — she was protecting herself from overwhelming emotion.

The New Yorker

Its overwhelming emotion is disgust — disgust that has not yet become contempt and is therefore more damaging.

The New Yorker

"The overwhelming emotion I had was sheer anger at the terrorists, bordering on hatred," he told one interviewer.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "overwhelming emotion" to vividly describe situations where feelings are intense and potentially difficult to manage. For example, "The soldier was filled with an "overwhelming emotion" upon returning home."

Common error

Avoid using "overwhelming emotion" to describe everyday feelings or minor inconveniences. This phrase is most effective when depicting significant or impactful emotional experiences. Overusing it can dilute its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overwhelming emotion" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "overwhelming" modifies the noun "emotion". It acts as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence, describing a state of intense feeling, as can be seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "overwhelming emotion" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe intense feelings. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is correct and useful in written English. It appears most commonly in News & Media and Science contexts, with a neutral register suitable for various audiences. Alternatives include "intense emotion" and "powerful emotion". When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a significant emotional experience, avoiding overuse in milder situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overpowering feeling

Highlights the feeling's ability to dominate one's senses.

overriding emotion

Indicates the emotion takes precedence over other feelings.

intense emotion

Similar to "intense feeling", but emphasizes the emotional aspect.

powerful emotion

Highlights the power and influence of the emotion.

extreme emotion

Emphasizes the extremity and intensity of the feeling.

intense feeling

Focuses on the strength of the feeling rather than its effect.

profound feeling

Suggests a deeply felt and significant emotion.

consuming emotion

Suggests the emotion occupies one's thoughts and actions.

all-consuming feeling

Similar to "consuming emotion", but with added emphasis on totality.

uncontrollable emotion

Focuses on the lack of ability to manage the emotion.

FAQs

How can I use "overwhelming emotion" in a sentence?

You can use "overwhelming emotion" to describe a feeling that is extremely strong and difficult to control. For example: "She was overcome by an "overwhelming emotion" when she saw her family after many years".

What can I say instead of "overwhelming emotion"?

You can use alternatives like "intense emotion", "powerful emotion", or "intense feeling" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the term "overwhelming emotion"?

Use "overwhelming emotion" to describe situations where someone experiences a potent mix of feelings that are difficult to manage or suppress, as frequently portrayed in "news & media" and "science".

What's the difference between "overwhelming emotion" and "strong emotion"?

"Overwhelming emotion" suggests a feeling that is so intense it's difficult to cope with, while "strong emotion" simply indicates a powerful feeling without necessarily implying it's unmanageable.