I started crying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I started crying" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an emotional reaction or response to a situation, typically when recalling a past event. Example: "When I heard the news, I started crying uncontrollably."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I started crying... uncontrollably.

The New York Times

I started crying, too.

The New Yorker

"I started crying instantly".

The New York Times - Style

"I started crying, actually".

The New York Times

"I started crying," she said.

The New York Times

"I started crying," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

I started crying right there".

The New York Times

And then I started crying.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I started crying almost immediately.

The New Yorker

"That's when I started crying," she said.

The New York Times

"I started crying," Ms. Dugard said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I started crying" to express a spontaneous emotional reaction to a specific event or situation. It indicates a direct and personal experience of sadness, joy, or other intense feelings.

Common error

While "I started crying" is a valid phrase, overuse can diminish its impact. Vary your descriptions of emotional responses using alternatives like "I teared up", "I became overwhelmed", or "Tears streamed down my face" to provide more nuanced accounts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I started crying" functions as a declarative statement expressing the onset of an emotional response. Ludwig examples confirm its use in narrating personal experiences and reactions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

1%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I started crying" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the onset of tears, typically in response to an emotional trigger. As Ludwig confirms, it's widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. The phrase is generally neutral in register but leans toward informal settings. While the phrase is acceptable, varying your language to describe emotions can add nuance and prevent overuse. Ludwig AI analysis and the many examples confirm the phrases's correct and broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I sobbed uncontrollably

Conveys a strong emotional outburst of crying.

I burst into tears

Emphasizes the sudden onset of crying.

I found myself weeping

Indicates a more prolonged and intense crying episode.

I dissolved into tears

Paints a more dramatic image of surrendering to crying.

Tears began to flow

Focuses on the physical manifestation of crying.

I couldn't hold back the tears

Highlights the lack of control over the emotional response.

I was moved to tears

Highlights the emotional trigger causing the tears.

I was overcome with emotion

Emphasizes the intensity of the feeling leading to tears.

I became tearful

Describes a state of being on the verge of crying.

My eyes welled up

Focuses on the initial stage of tears forming.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "I started crying"?

You can use alternatives like "tears began to flow", "I burst into tears", or "I was moved to tears" depending on the context.

How to use "I started crying" in a sentence?

You can use "I started crying" to describe an immediate emotional response to something. For instance, "When I heard the news, I started crying."

What's the difference between "I started crying" and "I was crying"?

"I started crying" indicates the beginning of the act of crying, while "I was crying" describes a state of crying that was already in progress. The first emphasizes the initiation, the second the duration.

Is "I started to cry" grammatically the same as "I started crying"?

Yes, both are grammatically correct and convey the same meaning. "I started crying" uses the gerund form, while "I started to cry" uses the infinitive form. The choice often depends on stylistic preference.