totally heartbreaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'totally heartbreaking' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express an intense degree of sadness. For example, "When his parents told him they were getting divorced, he was totally heartbroken."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"Dedicated teaching staff say that one of the saddest, most frustrating aspects of their job is that they put in all this effort and see all this progress for a young person at school and then find it totally heartbreaking to see that nothing was available afterwards," Bovell says.

The Guardian

Oh yeah, totally heartbreaking.

Huffington Post

It's a totally heartbreaking "Gilmore Girls" moment -- talk about SOBS -- and another perfect example of successful emotional support.

Huffington Post

It's Joan Crawford's last film and it's totally heartbreaking to see her doing serious acting with a man in a monkey suit pretending to be a troglodyte.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

He added: "Though I want to believe there is some reason he would do this that is some remotely positive way, the only thing I can see is that it is totally and completely heartbreaking".

The Guardian - Business

It's completely heartbreaking.

The Guardian - Music

Macmillan Cancer Support chief executive Lynda Thomas said: "The report cites heartbreaking examples of a lack of choice at the end of life that are totally unacceptable.

BBC

So heartbreaking.

The New York Times

Heartbreaking x".

Independent

Oddly heartbreaking.

The Guardian - Tech

Heartbreaking, isn't it?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "totally heartbreaking" to convey a strong emotional reaction to a situation or event, particularly when emphasizing the depth of sadness or disappointment. For example, "It was "totally heartbreaking" to see the team lose in the final seconds."

Common error

Avoid using "totally heartbreaking" in situations that warrant a milder expression of sadness or disappointment. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact and make your communication sound insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "totally heartbreaking" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It intensifies the emotional impact, indicating a profound sense of sorrow or distress. Ludwig provides examples where this phrase is used to describe deeply upsetting situations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "totally heartbreaking" is an adjective phrase used to express a strong feeling of sadness or sorrow. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and primarily used in news and media contexts to describe deeply upsetting situations. While effective in conveying strong emotions, it's important to use it judiciously, avoiding overuse in casual contexts where a milder expression would be more appropriate. Alternatives like "absolutely devastating" or "utterly crushing" can be used to vary expression while maintaining a similar emotional intensity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absolutely devastating

Emphasizes the destructive impact on emotions.

utterly crushing

Focuses on the feeling of being overwhelmed by sadness.

completely tragic

Highlights the unfortunate and sorrowful nature of the situation.

incredibly painful

Draws attention to the emotional suffering experienced.

deeply saddening

Emphasizes the profound sense of sorrow.

extremely upsetting

Focuses on the disturbance and distress caused by the event.

genuinely sorrowful

Highlights the sincere and heartfelt nature of the sadness.

truly distressing

Emphasizes the severe emotional strain and suffering.

thoroughly lamentable

Highlights the regrettable and unfortunate aspects of the situation.

heart rending

Uses a more figurative expression to convey intense sorrow.

FAQs

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

You can use "totally heartbreaking" to describe a situation that evokes deep sadness or sorrow. For example, "The news of her passing was "totally heartbreaking"".

What are some alternatives to "totally heartbreaking"?

Alternatives include "absolutely devastating", "utterly crushing", or "completely tragic". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "totally heartbreaking" an appropriate phrase to use in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "totally heartbreaking" may be more suited for informal or conversational contexts. In formal writing, consider using alternatives like "deeply saddening" or "profoundly tragic" to maintain a more professional tone.

What does it mean when something is described as "totally heartbreaking"?

When something is described as "totally heartbreaking", it means that it evokes a strong feeling of sadness, grief, or emotional distress. It suggests that the situation is deeply upsetting and causes significant emotional pain.