she was heartbroken

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she was heartbroken" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is experiencing deep emotional pain or sadness, often due to a romantic relationship ending or a significant loss. Example: "After the breakup, she was heartbroken and struggled to find joy in her daily life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"She was heartbroken," Ms. Tang said.

The New York Times

Gillian couldn't help it: she was heartbroken.

The New Yorker

Ms. Currie confirmed Socks's death and said she was "heartbroken".

The New York Times

"She was heartbroken for me and for Abush," Gunn said.

The New Yorker

Morton said she was "heartbroken" by the police response.

The Guardian

When she learned of the lockout last year, she was heartbroken.

The New York Times - Arts

A neighbor and friend of the Meyer's family said she was heartbroken by the incident.

Independent

But she was heartbroken when he broke up with her just before he graduated that June.

The New York Times

One such activist, Janet Folger Porter, said Saturday that she was heartbroken by Willke's death.

The Guardian

When she had to move out at the end of January, she was heartbroken".

The New York Times

In a post immediately after his death, Hardison said she was "heartbroken".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "she was heartbroken" to clearly and directly convey a sense of deep emotional sadness or disappointment, often resulting from a loss or a failed relationship. It's especially impactful when emphasizing the intensity and personal nature of the emotional pain.

Common error

Avoid using "she was heartbroken" repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language by using synonyms like "devastated", "crushed", or describing the specific ways her sadness manifests (e.g., "she couldn't eat", "she isolated herself"). This makes your writing more engaging and avoids monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she was heartbroken" functions as a subject-verb-adjective construction. It describes the emotional state of a female subject. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is widely recognized and accepted in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Wiki

2%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "she was heartbroken" is a very common and grammatically correct way to describe a woman experiencing deep sorrow or emotional pain. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability. Predominantly found in News & Media, this expression effectively communicates a profound sense of loss or disappointment. While synonyms like "devastated" or "crushed" exist, "she was heartbroken" offers a direct and widely understood way to convey this specific emotional state. When writing, be mindful of overuse and vary your vocabulary to maintain reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she was devastated

Replaces "heartbroken" with a stronger word indicating extreme distress.

she was crushed

Uses a more figurative term to describe the emotional impact.

she was grief-stricken

Indicates a deep sorrow, often associated with loss.

she was in despair

Suggests a state of hopelessness and deep sadness.

she felt immense sorrow

Replaces the adjective with a noun phrase to express a similar sentiment.

she was deeply saddened

Uses a more formal tone to convey the feeling of sadness.

she was overcome with grief

Emphasizes the intensity of the sadness.

she was inconsolable

Suggests that she could not be comforted.

she experienced profound sadness

Uses more sophisticated vocabulary to express sadness.

she was left with a heavy heart

A more poetic way of expressing sadness and emotional burden.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "she was heartbroken" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "she was deeply saddened", "she experienced profound sorrow", or "she was grief-stricken". These options offer a similar meaning but with a more elevated vocabulary.

What are some less common ways to express that "she was heartbroken"?

Consider alternatives such as "she was inconsolable", "she was left with a heavy heart", or "she was in despair". These phrases can add nuance and variety to your writing.

Is it appropriate to use "she was heartbroken" in professional writing?

While "she was heartbroken" is generally acceptable, consider the context. In formal or professional writing, phrases like "she was deeply saddened" or "she experienced significant disappointment" may be more suitable.

What's the difference between saying "she was heartbroken" and "she was devastated"?

"She was heartbroken" implies a deep sadness, often related to a personal loss or relationship ending. "She was devastated" suggests a more overwhelming and widespread impact, indicating a greater degree of emotional shock and distress.