touch the heart

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "touch the heart" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to describe something that has a strong emotional impact. For example: His words of kindness touched my heart.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Here we touch the heart of Sen's continuing bewilderment.

The Guardian - Books

Wealth has too many caprices: it can dazzle the eye, but not touch the heart.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Either you touch the heart," Mr. Jando said, "or you don't".

The New York Times

The choreography and performers are always surprising and sometimes stir the mind and touch the heart.

The New York Times

"Kristy taught me you have to touch the heart before you can take the hand," he says.

The Guardian - Sport

But this is an inane analogy, I realize, because I do not want to touch the heart of the matter.

The New Yorker

Mr. Ohno, who specialized in creating perfumed decay, could touch the heart while maintaining a considerable distance from recognizable emotions.

The New York Times - Arts

Reputedly, he wrote the 1982 play The Real Thing to prove he could touch the heart as well.

The Guardian

Ms. Part was once again caviar, a ballerina who seldom fails to touch the heart, however elusively.

The New York Times - Arts

Indeed, he seemed to do everything right except touch the heart, something his pianist, Gerold Huber, did at every moment.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

They believe that poverty is synonymous with any lifestyle that differs from the typical consumption of western countries and have mastered a publicity machine where pictures of slender, barefoot, brown-skinned children touch the heart-strings and wallets of their mostly white-skinned donors.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "touch the heart" when you want to emphasize a genuine and profound emotional connection or impact. This phrase suggests a positive and often heartwarming effect.

Common error

Avoid using "touch the heart" in situations where the context is overly sentimental or melodramatic, as it can come across as insincere or cliché. Consider more nuanced phrasing if the emotion is complex or subtle.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "touch the heart" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It describes the action of causing someone to experience strong emotions, typically positive ones like warmth, sympathy, or compassion. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples showcasing its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Science

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "touch the heart" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that describes something evoking a strong emotional response. Ludwig AI and its examples highlight its prevalence across various contexts, from news and media to academia and business. It is generally considered to be neutral in register, but can be found in more formal contexts as well. When writing, it’s important to use "touch the heart" when you want to emphasize a genuine and profound connection, but avoid overusing it in overly sentimental contexts. Related phrases like "move emotionally" or "stir emotions" can serve as alternatives to avoid repetition or to convey subtle nuances in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

move emotionally

Focuses on the act of causing emotion, simplifying the original phrase.

evoke feelings

Highlights the act of bringing feelings to the surface.

stir emotions

Emphasizes the act of awakening or stimulating feelings.

resonate deeply

Focuses on the profound impact or connection.

create a strong emotional response

More descriptive, focusing on the type of reaction.

leave a lasting impression

Emphasizes the enduring impact on someone's feelings.

strike a chord

Implies a connection or resonance with someone's emotions.

tug at the heartstrings

More figurative, implying manipulation of emotions.

affect deeply

A more direct way of saying that something has a strong emotional impact.

inspire empathy

Focuses on creating understanding and compassion.

FAQs

How can I use "touch the heart" in a sentence?

You can use "touch the heart" to describe something that evokes strong emotions, such as "The movie's ending really touched the heart" or "Her act of kindness touched the heart of everyone present."

What are some alternatives to "touch the heart"?

Some alternatives include "move emotionally", "stir emotions", or "resonate deeply", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "touch the heart" or "reach the heart"?

Both "touch the heart" and "reach the heart" are acceptable, but "touch the heart" is more common and generally implies a gentler, more emotional connection, while "reach the heart" can suggest a more profound or persuasive impact.

What is the difference between "touch the heart" and "touch the soul"?

"Touch the heart" typically refers to evoking emotions, while "touch the soul" suggests a deeper, more spiritual or profound connection that affects one's innermost being. "Touch the soul" implies a more lasting and transformative impact.