about to cry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about to cry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is on the verge of tears, often due to strong emotions such as sadness or frustration. Example: "After hearing the heartbreaking news, she was about to cry in front of everyone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He is about to cry.

The New Yorker

"All right, I'm about to cry".

The New Yorker

"I was about to cry".

The New York Times

"He was about to cry," Hector explained.

The New York Times

A building just about to cry.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It seems she's about to cry.

The Guardian - Books

"I was about to cry," she said.

The New York Times

The girl's face looks like she's about to cry.

The New York Times

Yet he looks as if he's about to cry.

The Guardian - Music

And like he's about to cry, poor darling lambkin.

The Guardian

She looked as if she were about to cry.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "about to cry" to vividly depict a character's emotional vulnerability or a poignant moment in storytelling.

Common error

Avoid overuse in a single text; vary descriptions of emotions to maintain reader engagement and prevent emotional fatigue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about to cry" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically modifying a subject to indicate they are on the verge of tears. It vividly conveys an emotional state. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in expressing immediate emotional vulnerability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

81%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "about to cry" is a common and effective phrase used to depict someone on the verge of tears, conveying emotional vulnerability. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and frequent appearance across various sources, predominantly in news and media. While grammatically sound and versatile, it's best used thoughtfully to avoid overuse and maintain emotional impact. Consider alternatives like "on the verge of tears" or "close to tears" for varied expression. When aiming for clarity and emotional resonance, "about to cry" remains a powerful choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the verge of tears

This alternative emphasizes the nearness to crying, similar to the original phrase.

close to tears

This phrase indicates proximity to crying, highlighting the emotional state.

on the brink of tears

Highlights being at the edge of crying, emphasizing the imminence.

near tears

It's a more concise way of saying someone is almost crying.

on the point of crying

Emphasizes the specific moment just before crying starts.

almost in tears

Indicates a state very close to crying, stressing the emotional proximity.

ready to burst into tears

It suggests a more sudden and intense onset of crying.

fighting back tears

It describes the act of trying not to cry, implying a struggle.

tears welling up

This phrase focuses on the physical manifestation of impending tears.

eyes brimming with tears

Describes eyes filled with tears, indicating a strong emotional state.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "about to cry" in a sentence?

Use "about to cry" to illustrate a character's intense emotion or vulnerability. For example, "She was "about to cry" after hearing the news" conveys immediate emotional impact.

What are some alternatives to "about to cry"?

You can use alternatives like "on the verge of tears", "close to tears", or "near tears" to vary your descriptions of emotional states.

Is "about to cry" formal or informal?

"About to cry" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both informal and formal contexts depending on the overall tone of the writing. In highly formal or academic writing, consider more descriptive alternatives.

What's the difference between "about to cry" and "crying"?

"About to cry" indicates the imminence of crying, whereas "crying" describes the act of shedding tears. "She was "about to cry"" suggests she hadn't started crying yet, but was on the verge, while "she was crying" means the tears were already flowing.