I practically cried

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I practically cried" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong emotional reaction, often indicating that the speaker was very close to crying due to a particular situation or feeling. Example: "When I saw the ending of the movie, I practically cried."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I remember, I practically cried".

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

I was practically crying I was so nervous.

TechCrunch

This is exactly what I've resisted so far, these phony solutions that really rub your face in what has happened to your body, and I'm practically crying as I pay, when out of the corner of my eye, I catch this reluctant teenager who's been hauled in by her mother, and the sales assistant is saying, "do your friends wear padding then, dear?" And that seems worse.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I have never felt like so much of a man, I could practically cry... er... go and lift more weights.

Huffington Post

Practically crying I asked the question and he said begrudgingly "yeah, Hillary can count on me".

Huffington Post

But I should mention that he was practically crying by the end of the interrogation, that his words were spoken in desperation, and that this is a kind of humor I'd be happy to live without.

The New Yorker

A girl I spoke to in line was practically crying over her report.

Vice

So I grimace through the meal and practically cry over my lunch date's arugula salad, which looks so crisp and refreshing.

Vice

I don't know why you're so bitter… You're practically crying!" Defending "Morning Joe," Scarborough said they had compared Trump's rise to notorious Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler's.

Huffington Post

"Now, I'm greeted by Pauline Alterman -- she was working for me at the polls -- and Irma Fleischman, and they're practically crying.

The New York Times

Diagnosed with terminal myeloid leukemia, with a wife and young child, and beset by serious financial woes, Jonathan practically cries out for a puppetmaster to string him up.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and audience when using this phrase. While acceptable in most informal and neutral settings, it might be too informal for formal or business communications.

Common error

Avoid using "I practically cried" in highly formal or professional writing. Opt for more restrained language to describe strong emotions, such as "I was deeply moved" or "I was extremely touched".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I practically cried" functions as an expression of emotional intensity. It modifies the verb 'cried' with 'practically,' indicating the speaker almost cried. Ludwig AI suggests the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is frequently found in News & Media.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I practically cried" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to convey a strong emotional response just short of actually crying. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It's frequently found in news and media contexts, suggesting a neutral register. When using the phrase, consider the context and audience, avoiding overuse in formal settings. Alternatives such as "I almost burst into tears" or "I nearly shed a tear" can provide similar emotional emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I almost burst into tears

This alternative explicitly mentions tears and nearing the act of crying.

I nearly shed a tear

Emphasizes the imminence of crying, focusing on a single tear.

I was on the verge of tears

Highlights being very close to crying, emphasizing the emotional tipping point.

I came close to crying

Indicates the nearness of crying, slightly less intense than the original.

I was about to cry

Suggests the action of crying was imminent.

Tears welled up in my eyes

Focuses on the physical manifestation of impending tears.

I felt like crying

Expresses the feeling and desire to cry without explicitly stating the nearness of it.

I was deeply moved

Indicates a strong emotional impact, which could lead to tears.

I was extremely touched

Similar to being deeply moved, implying a strong emotional response.

I was overcome with emotion

Implies a powerful emotional experience, possibly leading to crying.

FAQs

What does "I practically cried" mean?

The phrase "I practically cried" means that you were very close to crying but did not actually cry. It indicates a strong emotional response to something.

What can I say instead of "I practically cried"?

You can use alternatives like "I almost burst into tears", "I nearly shed a tear", or "I was on the verge of tears" depending on the context.

Is "I practically cried" grammatically correct?

Yes, "I practically cried" is grammatically correct. The word 'practically' is used as an adverb to modify the verb 'cried', indicating the action almost happened.

What is the difference between "I practically cried" and "I actually cried"?

"I practically cried" means you were very close to crying but did not cry. "I actually cried" means you did cry. The difference is whether the action of crying occurred.