she was overcome with emotion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she was overcome with emotion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is deeply affected by their feelings, often in a positive or intense way. Example: "As she watched her daughter graduate, she was overcome with emotion, tears streaming down her face."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

When Rojas held Asha, she was overcome with emotion.

The New Yorker

Suddenly she was overcome with emotion as she contrasted that environment with the student-led atmosphere in Ms. Atwell's class.

The New York Times - Books

In a telephone interview with The Washington Post, Gutiérrez said she was overcome with emotion during Obama's speech, and that her outburst was spontaneous.

The Washington Post

PAUL L. WHITELEY Sr . Louisville Ky., April 18 , 2013To the Editor: As my wife read Gabrielle Giffords's eloquent and impassioned words to me on our way to work this morning, she was overcome with emotion.

The New York Times

She says she was overcome with emotion following the jury's conclusion.

BBC

She sang My Everything with students from Parr's Wood High school in Manchester, comforting 12-year-old soloist Natasha Seth when she was overcome with emotion.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

She sang and she was overcome with emotions and she started crying, but I left it on the record".

Wikipedia

If a character sinks her face into her hands why do we think she's overcome with emotion, rather than throwing up?

The Guardian

"I was overcome with emotion," she said.

The New York Times

Salehi said she tried not to cry but was overcome with emotion at the prospect of seeing her husband and then having to say goodbye again – not knowing when she'd be approved to leave the country to join him.

The Guardian

Taslima Akhter was overcome with emotion when she arrived at the Tazreen Fashions garment factory on the outskirts of Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Sunday evening, four hours after fire tore through the building.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the intensity of the emotion you want to convey. While "she was overcome with emotion" can apply to both positive and negative feelings, its intensity may be better suited for significant moments.

Common error

Avoid using "she was overcome with emotion" to describe minor or everyday occurrences. This phrase is better reserved for situations where the emotional impact is truly significant, otherwise it can sound melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she was overcome with emotion" functions as a declarative statement describing a state of being. It attributes a specific emotional condition to a female subject. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0.5%

Reference

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "she was overcome with emotion" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a strong emotional response. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it effectively conveys the intensity of feeling experienced by an individual, often in response to a significant event. While versatile, its best use is in scenarios where the emotional impact is considerable, preventing overuse in mundane contexts. Alternatives like "she was deeply moved" or "she was filled with emotion" offer nuanced ways to express similar sentiments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she was filled with emotion

Suggests a complete and encompassing emotional experience.

she was overwhelmed with feeling

Emphasizes the intensity and potentially disorienting nature of the emotional experience.

she was deeply moved

Focuses on the profound impact of an event or situation on her emotions.

she couldn't contain her emotions

Highlights the outward expression of inner feelings.

her heart swelled with emotion

A more figurative way to express feeling intense emotion, often positive.

she was stirred by the moment

Implies a reaction to a specific event or time.

she was touched by the gesture

Specifically relates to feeling emotion due to a kind or thoughtful action.

she was visibly affected

Focuses on the observable signs of emotional impact.

she choked up

Suggests an inability to speak due to strong emotion.

she teared up

Specifically refers to the physical manifestation of emotion through crying.

FAQs

What does "she was overcome with emotion" mean?

The phrase "she was overcome with emotion" means that she experienced a very strong feeling that was difficult to control. This could be due to happiness, sadness, or any other intense emotion.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "she was overcome with emotion"?

It is appropriate to use this phrase when describing a situation where someone experiences a particularly strong and overwhelming emotion, such as at a wedding, funeral, or after achieving a significant goal.

Are there alternative ways to say "she was overcome with emotion"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "she was deeply moved", "she was filled with emotion", or "she was overwhelmed with feeling" depending on the context.

Is "she was overcome with emotion" grammatically correct?

Yes, the phrase "she was overcome with emotion" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written and spoken English.