that was heartbreaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was heartbreaking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express deep emotional pain or sadness about a situation or event that has occurred. Example: "When I heard about the loss of the beloved community center, I thought to myself, that was heartbreaking."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

"Seeing other kids just kind of point and laugh, that was heartbreaking for me, knowing this living, feeling individual was being subjected to that," he said.

The New York Times

Near the end of "Cosmia," the last song of "Ys," she sang, "I miss your precious heart" with a vehemence that was heartbreaking.

The New York Times - Arts

"There's a subculture here of look-alikes, and there was a sadness about these people that was heartbreaking to me," Mr. Wagner said.

The New York Times - Books

And when the service was ended, they loaded his coffin on a military flatbed, mounted his photograph on the back for identification, and took him to a deserted cemetery for a burial that was heartbreaking in its wintry sorrow.

The New York Times

It was devastating, causing a crisis of identity that was heartbreaking to witness.

HuffPost

With a randomness that was heartbreaking, concertgoers learned the hard way that they were under attack.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Briones's Engineer has a yearning edge that is heartbreaking.

The Guardian

"Obviously, this is something that is heartbreaking for the entire nation".

The New York Times

Ms. Fonda herself sings in that scene, in a voice that is heartbreaking in its reedy frailness.

The New York Times

Some of the smallest children have eye infections that are heartbreaking to see.

The New York Times - Arts

A lesson that is heartbreaking and infuriating, but mandatory in the world we live in.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience. While suitable for general communication, it might be necessary to use a more formal tone when writing for academic or business environments.

Common error

Avoid using "that was heartbreaking" in highly formal or professional documents where a more objective or detached tone is expected. Instead, opt for phrases like "that was deeply unfortunate" or "that was a significant setback".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was heartbreaking" functions as a subjective commentary expressing deep emotional pain or sadness in response to a specific event or situation. It is commonly used to convey empathy or personal grief. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and acceptable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that was heartbreaking" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to express deep emotional pain or sadness. According to Ludwig AI, it is a valid expression in English writing. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, with some presence in academic writing. While versatile, it's essential to consider the audience and opt for more formal alternatives in professional settings. Understanding the appropriate context ensures effective communication of empathy and shared emotional responses.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was devastating

This alternative emphasizes the destructive impact of the event or situation.

that was tragic

This alternative highlights the severe misfortune or sorrow caused by the event.

it broke my heart

This is a more personal and emotional expression of sadness.

that was deeply saddening

This option uses a more formal tone to express the emotional impact.

that was crushing

This conveys a feeling of being overwhelmed and defeated by the situation.

it was a bitter pill to swallow

This idiom suggests that the situation was unpleasant but had to be accepted.

that was a real shame

This expresses disappointment and regret over the situation.

that was regrettable

A formal way to express sorrow or disappointment about something.

that was a cause for grief

This phrase indicates a significant loss or sorrowful event.

that was deplorable

While stronger, it can imply the situation caused deep sorrow or anger due to its wrongfulness.

FAQs

How can I use "that was heartbreaking" in a sentence?

You can use "that was heartbreaking" to describe a situation or event that caused you significant emotional pain or sadness. For example: "Seeing the abandoned animals at the shelter, "that was heartbreaking"."

What are some alternatives to "that was heartbreaking"?

You can use alternatives like "that was devastating", "that was tragic", or "it broke my heart" depending on the specific context and the emotion you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "that was heartbreaking" in formal writing?

While "that was heartbreaking" is grammatically correct, it might be too informal for certain types of formal writing. In such cases, consider using more neutral or objective alternatives like "that was deeply saddening" or "that was regrettable".

When is it best to use "that was heartbreaking" over other similar phrases?

Use "that was heartbreaking" when you want to emphasize the emotional impact and the sense of sadness or empathy you felt. If you want to focus on the destructive impact, use "that was devastating". If you want to highlight the misfortune, use "that was tragic".