Abstract This paper clarifies the definition of English emotion formulaic sequences in a brand-new way. It identifies the two language processing mechanisms in the human brain that function simultaneously and divide usage depending on the requirements of the language materials and communication situations. Based on the approach of Becker’s hierarchy of classification, this paper categorizes English emotion formulaic sequences from three aspects: structure, meaning, and usage. It may be possible to identify and push the boundaries of English emotion formulaic sequences both for language learners and linguistics researchers.