so moved

Meanings

1. 1adjectivenot comparable

   feeling a strong emotion, especially sadness, sympathy, or admiration, because of something touching or impressive.

   Grammar: Used after a linking verb such as be, feel, or seem, and often followed by 'by' or 'that': She was so moved by the story.

   Patterns

   • be so moved by something
   • be so moved that ...
   • feel so moved

   I was so moved by the volunteers' kindness that I started to cry.

   He felt so moved after watching the documentary that he donated to the charity.

   The audience was so moved that many people stayed silent for a moment.

2. 2adjectivenot comparable

   having a strong feeling of sympathy or sadness that makes you want to help or act.

   Grammar: Often followed by 'to do something': We were so moved to help that we stayed all day.

   Patterns

   • be so moved to do something

   She was so moved to help the family that she organized a fundraiser.

   They were so moved to see the children's drawings that they decided to volunteer.

Common combinations

so moved by

I was so moved by his speech that I wrote him a letter.

so moved that

She was so moved that she could not speak.

feel so moved

He felt so moved after the ceremony.

deeply moved

We were deeply moved by the tribute.

Synonyms and how they differ

touched

Similar, but 'touched' often suggests a gentler, warmer feeling; 'so moved' can be stronger and more dramatic.

affected

More neutral and formal; it can mean influenced emotionally, but does not always suggest strong sympathy.

stirred

Suggests a strong emotional reaction, often one that makes you want to act, but is more literary.

Opposites

Word family

move verb

To cause someone to feel strong emotion.

moving adjective

Causing strong feelings of sadness or sympathy.

movingly adverb

In a way that causes strong emotion.

Commonly confused: so moved or moved?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “so moved”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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