quite heartbreaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "quite heartbreaking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or event that evokes a strong sense of sadness or emotional pain. Example: "The news of the tragedy was quite heartbreaking for everyone in the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Camilla said she too had found the experience quite heartbreaking.

Independent

"It's quite heartbreaking doing those scenes again," Hawkins admits.

Independent

"It is quite heartbreaking to have to say no.

The Guardian

Janney's upbeat, quick-smiling lilt is quite heartbreaking, the ideal counterweight to Hinds's sorrow.

The New Yorker

A lot of them had a really crap time of it, and in places it's really quite heartbreaking.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

And all this is conducive to the third movie, which if we ever make it, would be quite heartbreaking.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Though he's neither so funny nor quite so heartbreaking, Chanu inevitably recalls V. S. Naipaul's Mr. Biswas.

The New York Times - Books

Would Rob Andrew's drop-kick have been quite so heartbreaking if we'd lived it in the bright light of the afternoon?

The Guardian - Sport

"The details of the case are, quite frankly, heartbreaking, disturbing, disgusting and infuriating all at the same time," Salazar said.

Huffington Post

Of all the tributes pouring in after the death of beloved actress Carrie Fisher, none are quite as heartbreaking as the one written by her mother, Debbie Reynolds. .

Huffington Post

This gives it a choppy feeling, but some of the episodes are quite funny, or heartbreaking, or both.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "quite heartbreaking", ensure that the context clearly establishes the cause of the sadness or emotional distress. Be specific to maximize the impact.

Common error

Avoid using "quite heartbreaking" in situations that are only mildly disappointing or inconvenient. Save the phrase for truly impactful and emotionally significant situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite heartbreaking" functions primarily as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe something as significantly sad or distressing. Ludwig examples confirm its descriptive role, often used to portray emotional impact.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "quite heartbreaking" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adjective phrase that expresses significant sadness or emotional distress. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. It is most frequently found in News & Media, and while versatile, is best used to describe situations that warrant genuine empathy. When writing, consider the intensity of the emotion you wish to convey and use stronger alternatives like "utterly devastating" for more profound sadness. Steer clear of overuse to avoid diluting its emotional impact. The analysis confirms its place as a reliable descriptor of sadness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deeply saddening

Emphasizes the sadness evoked by the situation.

utterly devastating

Highlights the destructive impact and overwhelming nature of the experience.

genuinely distressing

Focuses on the troubling and upsetting nature of the event or situation.

profoundly upsetting

Stresses the significant emotional impact of the situation.

truly tragic

Highlights the element of misfortune and loss associated with the event.

exceptionally poignant

Emphasizes the emotionally touching and deeply affecting quality.

remarkably sorrowful

Highlights the deep sadness and grief associated with the situation.

incredibly moving

Focuses on the emotional impact and ability to evoke strong feelings.

awfully regrettable

Emphasizes the feeling of deep disappointment and sorrow over the situation.

bitterly disappointing

Highlights the feeling of extreme dissatisfaction and sadness.

FAQs

How can I use "quite heartbreaking" in a sentence?

You can use "quite heartbreaking" to describe a situation or event that evokes a strong sense of sadness or emotional pain. For example: "The story of the refugees was "quite heartbreaking"."

What's a stronger alternative to "quite heartbreaking"?

While "quite heartbreaking" expresses significant sadness, alternatives like "utterly devastating" or "deeply saddening" can convey a more intense level of emotional impact.

Is "quite heartbreaking" formal or informal?

"Quite heartbreaking" is suitable for neutral contexts. In more formal writing, you might choose "profoundly upsetting" or "genuinely distressing" for a more professional tone.

What can I say instead of "quite heartbreaking" to emphasize the element of misfortune?

To emphasize the element of misfortune and loss, you can use "truly tragic" as an alternative to "quite heartbreaking".