à un émotion

You will almost always use this with the verb être. The structure is simple: être + en proie à une émotion. Because émotion is a feminine noun, you must use une. You can also add adjectives to make it more specific. For example, you could say une émotion vive or une émotion forte. It sounds very elegant and sophisticated. You can use it to describe yourself or someone else. It is like painting a picture of someone's inner world. Just remember to conjugate être correctly for the person you are describing.

Save this phrase for the big moments in life. Use it at a wedding when you see the bride. Use it when you are watching a very moving movie. It is perfect for heart-to-heart conversations with close friends. If you are writing a heartfelt letter or a diary entry, use it. It shows that you have a deep and sensitive nature. It is also common in literature and news reporting. If a witness is crying, a reporter might use this phrase. It adds a touch of drama and respect to the situation.

Do not use this for minor daily annoyances. If you can't find your socks, you aren't en proie à une émotion. If your toast is burnt, it is too much drama. Using it for small things makes you sound sarcastic. Unless you are joking, keep it for the heavy stuff. Also, avoid using it in very dry, technical business meetings. In those cases, it is better to be more direct. Stick to je suis inquiet or je suis ravi. This phrase is for the soul, not the spreadsheet.

French culture has a long, beautiful history of Romanticism. Think of famous writers like Victor Hugo or George Sand. They loved the idea of humans being moved by great forces. The use of proie (prey) reflects this cultural view. It suggests that emotions are powerful and sometimes outside our control. In France, expressing deep feelings is often seen as a sign of depth. It is not something to be hidden or ashamed of. This phrase captures that spirit of emotional honesty perfectly.

You will often hear sous le coup de l'émotion. This means 'under the blow of emotion.' It is very common when someone is speaking right after a shock. Another variation is submergé par l'émotion. This means you are 'submerged' or 'drowned' by the feeling. If you want to be very simple, you can say très ému. However, en proie à une émotion is much more stylish. It makes you sound like you truly understand the French language. It is a favorite for novelists and poets alike.