truly humbling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "truly humbling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a deep sense of humility or appreciation in response to an experience or realization. Example: "Receiving the award was truly humbling, as it reminded me of the support I've received from my community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

The statistics are truly humbling.

The New York Times

This privilege was truly humbling.

The Guardian

The support you have provided over the years has been truly humbling.

BBC

To witness the power of mass devotion on such a scale was truly humbling.

The Guardian - Travel

The tolerance, generosity and genuine care they extended to me during my stay had been truly humbling.

The Guardian

Allowing himself a Facebook account to keep in touch with family and friends back home, his page has few status updates but is littered with kind words from Red Bulls fans urging his return — something he describes as truly humbling.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Gentlemen, we are truly humbled by your presence today.

The Guardian

Oliver - currently to be seen in Channel 4 show Jamie And Jimmy's Food Fight Club - said today: "Again, I'm truly humbled that the public have really responded to this book in such a big way.

Independent

We are truly humbled by the outpouring of support Eagles of Death Metal has received from all of the people of Europe, and we pledge to continue rocking and rolling for many many more years to come.

The Guardian - Music

I'm truly humbled.

TechCrunch

"I'm truly humbled by what has happened over the past year," he says.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "truly humbling" when you want to express a genuine sense of awe, respect, or appreciation for something or someone. It effectively conveys a feeling of being made humble by an experience or realization.

Common error

Avoid using "truly humbling" in situations that are only mildly impressive or don't genuinely inspire humility. Overuse can dilute the phrase's impact and make your expression seem insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "truly humbling" functions as an intensifier ("truly") modifying an adjective ("humbling"). It emphasizes the degree to which something evokes humility or a sense of insignificance, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

18%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "truly humbling" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey a deep sense of humility, appreciation, or respect. According to Ludwig, it is most frequently found in News & Media, Academic, and Formal & Business contexts. When using the phrase, it's essential to apply it to situations that genuinely evoke a feeling of humility, avoiding overuse in superficial contexts. As Ludwig AI also suggests, alternatives like "genuinely humbling", "deeply humbling", and "utterly humbling" can add nuance depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

genuinely humbling

Emphasizes the authenticity and sincerity of the humbling experience.

deeply humbling

Highlights the profound impact and depth of the humbling feeling.

utterly humbling

Stresses the complete and overwhelming nature of the humbling effect.

incredibly humbling

Indicates a high degree of humility experienced.

exceptionally humbling

Suggests the humbling experience is beyond the ordinary.

remarkably humbling

Highlights the noteworthy and significant nature of the humbling event.

profoundly moving

Focuses on the emotional impact and depth of feeling.

inspiring awe

Shifts the focus to the feeling of awe and inspiration.

instilling reverence

Emphasizes the respect and deep admiration caused by the experience.

awakening humility

Highlights the realization and growth of humbleness.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "truly humbling"?

You can use alternatives like "genuinely humbling", "deeply humbling", or "utterly humbling" depending on the context.

How to use "truly humbling" in a sentence?

Use "truly humbling" to describe experiences or events that evoke a sense of humility and respect. For instance, "Witnessing the dedication of the volunteers was a "truly humbling" experience."

Is "truly humbling" formal or informal?

The phrase "truly humbling" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, depending on the situation. It's versatile enough to be used in speeches, articles, or even casual conversations.

What's the difference between "truly humbling" and "truly humble"?

"Truly humbling" describes an experience that makes one feel humble, while "truly humble" describes a person who possesses genuine humility as a character trait.