a bawling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a bawling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a loud, crying sound or a situation where someone is crying loudly. Example: "The baby was a bawling mess, making it difficult for anyone to concentrate in the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

He described the Machiavellian instinct of a bawling infant.

The Guardian

The Female Boss, once renowned for her gumption, reduced to a bawling mess.

Independent

It takes the cheesiness out of engagement rituals when there's a bawling baby in tow.

The Guardian

There, a bawling infant lay cradled in the arms of a visitor.

The Guardian - Opinion

Now, GOP figures are trying to make peace with the fact that Trump, who even seemed to pick a fight with a bawling infant at a campaign rally on Tuesday, is not becoming more "presidential".

The Guardian

From an inner room, Brando called, "What is it, honey?" But the girl, her eyes squeezed shut with mirth and her fat little hands jammed into her mouth, like a bawling baby's, was incapable of reply.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Dorothy Parker called it "a rigadoon of rascality, a bawled-out comic song of sex".

The New York Times - Books

Gore Vidal called his writing pornographic; Dorothy Parker claimed nobody could write a better novel than "The Ginger Man" — which she called "a rigadoon of rascality, a bawled-out comic song of sex" — unless that person was Donleavy himself.

The New Yorker

Sometimes the novice gets told playfully: "Hey, baby, why you miss so much?" but, more often, it is simply a bawl of: "STOP MISSING!" So you stretch and strain to avoid both the rollickings and the slower, subtler humiliation of an empty probe chugging accusingly all the way down the line.

The Guardian - Business

But you might find "start" slightly hidden somewhere else in the clue, as with Orlando's... 22d Black and white lamb starts to cry (4 ...where if you take the "starts" of the previous four words, you should be having a BAWL.

The Guardian

"Dawson's Creek" aired for six seasons on The WB before signing off for good in 2003 with a bawl-your-eyes-out finale that killed off Williams' character, Jen Lindley ― so much for that revival, folks.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a bawling" to vividly describe a loud, unrestrained crying sound, particularly when emphasizing the intensity and lack of control.

Common error

Avoid using "a bawling" in highly formal or professional writing. Opt for more neutral terms like "crying" or "sobbing" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bawling" functions as a noun phrase, with "bawling" acting as a gerund describing the act of crying loudly. Ludwig's examples demonstrate it modifies nouns like "infant" or used to describe a state like "a bawling mess".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a bawling" is grammatically correct and functions as a vivid descriptor of loud, unrestrained crying. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is primarily found in News & Media contexts, lending a sense of intense emotion or distress. While acceptable in general writing, it may be too informal for strict formal usage. Consider alternative phrases like "a loud crying" or "a wailing" for more formal scenarios. Remember to use "a bawling" when you want to emphasize the intensity and lack of control in a crying sound.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a loud crying

Focuses on the auditory aspect of crying, emphasizing the loudness.

a wailing

Implies a prolonged and mournful cry, often associated with grief.

a sobbing

Suggests a more subdued form of crying, characterized by gasping sounds.

a crying fit

Highlights the sudden and uncontrolled nature of the crying.

a fit of crying

Emphasizes the sudden outburst of tears and emotion.

a weeping

A more formal and literary term for crying, often implying sorrow.

a howling

Emphasizes a loud, prolonged cry, similar to that of an animal.

a caterwauling

Implies a harsh, unpleasant crying sound.

a squalling

Typically used to describe the loud crying of an infant.

a yelping

Suggests a sharp, high-pitched cry, often associated with pain or fear.

FAQs

How can I use "a bawling" in a sentence?

You can use "a bawling" to describe someone who is crying loudly and uncontrollably, such as "The child was "a bawling mess" after falling down".

What's the difference between "a bawling" and "a sobbing"?

"A bawling" suggests a louder, more unrestrained cry, while "a sobbing" implies a quieter, more subdued cry, often with gasping sounds.

What can I say instead of "a bawling"?

Alternatives include "a loud crying", "a wailing", or "a crying fit", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a bawling" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a bawling" might be too informal for certain formal contexts. Consider using more neutral alternatives like "crying" or "weeping" in those situations.