was touched

USAGE SUMMARY

'was touched' is a grammatically correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is the past-tense conjugation of the verb 'touch'. Example: When their teacher gave them a heartfelt speech, all the students were touched.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

I was touched.

The New Yorker

I was touched, though.

The New York Times - Arts

Camille was touched.

The New Yorker

Nothing else was touched.

The New York Times

Pistorius was touched.

The New York Times - Sports

"He was touched," Mitchell said.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Segall was touched, too.

The New York Times

She was touched but declined.

The New York Times - Books

Something was touched.

The New Yorker

Everyone was touched.

The New York Times - Sports

She was touched.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was touched" to describe a feeling of gratitude, sympathy, or emotional impact. Ensure the context makes it clear what caused this emotional response.

Common error

Avoid using "was touched" without indicating the source of the emotional impact. Always specify what caused the person to feel touched to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was touched" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject experienced an emotional response. According to Ludwig and its examples, it commonly expresses gratitude, sympathy, or emotional impact caused by an external stimulus.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was touched" is a versatile phrase used to express a feeling of emotional impact, gratitude, or sympathy. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the source of the emotional impact to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "was moved" or "was affected" to fine-tune the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was moved

Expresses a strong emotional reaction, similar to being touched.

was affected

Indicates influence or impact, often emotional.

felt gratitude

Highlights the feeling of thankfulness.

was impressed

Emphasizes admiration or respect.

was influenced

Focuses on the impact something had on someone.

was stirred

Suggests a strong emotional arousal or excitement.

felt compassion

Highlights a feeling of sympathy and concern.

was heartened

Emphasizes a feeling of encouragement and hope.

was warmed by

Conveys a sense of comfort and pleasure.

was gladdened

Expresses a feeling of happiness and joy.

FAQs

How can I use "was touched" in a sentence?

Use "was touched" to express that someone experienced a feeling of gratitude, sympathy, or emotional impact as in, "She "was touched" by his kind words".

What can I say instead of "was touched"?

You can use alternatives like "was moved", "was affected", or "felt gratitude" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I am touched" or "I was touched"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "I am touched" implies a current feeling, while "I was touched" refers to a past experience.

What's the difference between "was touched" and "was affected"?

"Was touched" often implies a deeper emotional connection, while "was affected" can refer to a broader range of impacts, not necessarily emotional.