I almost cry

USAGE SUMMARY

It is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are expressing a very intense emotion and feel like you almost shed tears but you are able to keep them from actually falling. For example, "I almost cry when I saw the homeless puppy on the street."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"When I think about it I almost cry!" Mezgin thanks the Nelsons, who in turn thank Help Refugees for making the project happen.

The Guardian

She gives me many hurried instructions as to rest and diet, and in saying goodbye she gathers me in her arms and embraces me so hard that I almost cry out.

The New Yorker

Oh, I get so full I almost cry!" Darryl celebrates St. Joseph's Night as Tootie did, walking the streets of his Seventh Ward neighborhood at dusk, showing off his resplendent suit to families sitting on their stoops.

The New Yorker

I almost cry.

Johns Hopkins University

They're national treasures and I almost cry myself to sleep at night thinking that these could be gone, once sold off they'll never be reclaimed".

BBC

I almost cry several times.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

I almost cried.

The New York Times

Then, I almost cried.

The New York Times

I almost cried with joy.

The New Yorker

"Yesterday, I almost cried".

The New York Times - Sports

"I almost cried," she said.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I almost cry" to convey a strong emotional response to a situation, indicating you were very close to tears but managed to restrain yourself. It's most effective when describing moments of intense sadness, joy, or overwhelming emotion.

Common error

Avoid using "I almost cry" for trivial or insignificant events. This phrase is best reserved for situations that genuinely evoke a strong emotional response. Overusing it can diminish its impact and make you sound overly dramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I almost cry" primarily functions as an expression of intense emotion, indicating a near-tears state. Ludwig's examples confirm this is a subjective expression, conveying the speaker's emotional experience. This often serves to highlight the profound impact of an event or situation on the speaker.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I almost cry" is a phrase used to express a strong emotional response, indicating the speaker was close to tears but did not fully cry. Ludwig highlights its grammatical correctness and common usage in news and media contexts. While the phrase is effective in conveying vulnerability, it's essential to use it judiciously and reserve it for truly impactful moments. Related phrases like "I feel like crying" or "I was on the verge of tears" offer alternative ways to express similar sentiments with varying degrees of formality. As Ludwig AI underlines, the phrase is correct and commonly understood in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I nearly cry

Replaces "almost" with "nearly", maintaining the meaning of being close to tears.

I feel like crying

Shifts the focus to the feeling of wanting to cry, rather than the action itself.

I was on the verge of tears

Emphasizes the imminence of crying, highlighting the emotional intensity.

I could have cried

Indicates a potential for tears in the past, implying a strong emotional reaction.

I was close to tears

Similar to "on the verge of tears", indicating proximity to crying.

Tears welled up in my eyes

Describes the physical manifestation of impending tears, focusing on the eyes.

I fought back tears

Highlights the effort to suppress crying, emphasizing emotional control.

I choked back tears

Similar to 'fought back tears', but suggests a more physical sensation of suppressing emotion.

I bit back tears

Suggests actively suppressing an emotional reaction.

I was deeply moved

Focuses on the emotional impact without explicitly mentioning tears, implying a strong emotional response.

FAQs

How can I use "I almost cry" in a sentence?

You can use "I almost cry" to express a strong emotional reaction to something. For example, "I almost cry when I see homeless animals" or "I almost cry when I think about how far we've come".

What's a more formal alternative to "I almost cry"?

More formal alternatives include phrases like "I was deeply moved", or "I was on the verge of tears", which convey a similar sentiment with greater restraint.

Is "I almost cried" different from "I almost cry"?

"I almost cried" is past tense, indicating that the feeling occurred in the past. "I almost cry" is present tense, suggesting it's a current or recurring feeling. The choice depends on the timing of the emotion you're describing.

When is it appropriate to use "I almost cry" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "I almost cry" in writing when you want to convey a raw and intense emotional response to a situation, whether it's due to sadness, joy, or another powerful emotion. However, consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing to ensure it fits the context.