became tearful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "became tearful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who started to cry or showed signs of emotion, often in response to a touching or sad situation. Example: "As she recounted the story of her childhood, she became tearful, overwhelmed by the memories."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

She became tearful.

The New Yorker

But, during a visit to America last fall, he became tearful as he recalled the plight of a Tanzanian in a neighboring cell.

The New Yorker

One woman brought a dozen cuddly toy dogs for children, driving off quickly as one of the fathers became tearful with gratitude.

The Guardian

Matthew Rowley said his brother became tearful when they mentioned Charlie's partner, Dawn Sturgess, who has died, and he changed the subject.

The Guardian

She became tearful near the end of her speech, discussing the hopes of her father, a municipal water plant worker in Chicago, that his children would be successful.

The Washington Post

Ahmed became tearful when recalling hearing the news of a body being found in February 2004, at a flooded river in Sedgwick, Cumbria.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

I become tearful and hopeless, like a child.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The film's principal talking heads are Mr. d'Amboise, now 79, who becomes tearful when remembering Le Clercq, who died in 2000 at 71, and Barbara Horgan, the personal assistant to Balanchine, who died in 1983.

The New York Times

It's a fascinating film, frequently moving: to see Tammy become tearful as she explains the reason for her weight gain, or Hazel, a woman who can't see her own loveliness, is very affecting.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I would have become tearful, but I was tired and dehydrated and coated with (hoping to ease my withering skin) what turned out to be hair conditioner and not body lotion.

The Guardian - Books

Every time Briggitte Jordan remembers the first time she heard of Chagas she becomes tearful.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "became tearful" to describe a moment when someone starts to show signs of crying due to an emotional trigger, such as sadness, gratitude, or reflection. It accurately conveys the beginning of an emotional response.

Common error

Avoid using "became tearful" repetitively in clinical or psychological reports. Vary your language with alternatives such as "displayed emotional distress" or "showed signs of sadness" for a more professional tone and to avoid sounding overly sentimental.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "became tearful" functions as a verb phrase indicating a change of state, specifically the onset of tearfulness due to emotion. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, describing a shift towards emotional expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "became tearful" describes the onset of tearfulness due to an emotional state. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide usability. It is commonly found in news and media, science, and formal business contexts with a neutral register. Alternative phrases like "started to cry" or "teared up" can be used for variation. While appropriate for many situations, overuse in clinical contexts should be avoided. The phrase serves to convey empathy and understanding of a person's emotional state and is valuable in descriptive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

started to cry

Focuses on the physical act of crying, simpler and more direct.

teared up

Suggests a milder form of tearfulness, where tears are present but not necessarily flowing.

got emotional

Indicates a broader emotional response, not necessarily involving tears.

burst into tears

Emphasizes the sudden and forceful onset of crying.

began to weep

More formal and intense than "became tearful", suggesting deeper sorrow.

was moved to tears

Highlights external influence that led to tearfulness.

was overcome with emotion

Highlights the feeling of being overwhelmed by feelings, which leads to tears.

choked up

Similar to 'felt a lump in one's throat', indicating difficulty speaking due to emotion.

felt a lump in one's throat

Describes a physical sensation associated with suppressed emotion.

became melancholic

Focuses on sadness and pensiveness, rather than explicitly tearfulness.

FAQs

What does "became tearful" mean?

The phrase "became tearful" means that someone started to show signs of crying or was on the verge of tears, usually due to an emotional feeling such as sadness, happiness, or sentimentality.

What can I say instead of "became tearful"?

You can use alternatives like "started to cry", "teared up", or "got emotional" depending on the specific context and intensity of the emotion.

Is it appropriate to use "became tearful" in formal writing?

Yes, "became tearful" is appropriate for formal writing, but consider your audience and the tone of your piece. In some cases, a more clinical term like "displayed emotional distress" may be more suitable.

What is the difference between "became tearful" and "burst into tears"?

While both phrases indicate someone crying, "became tearful" suggests a gradual onset of tears, whereas "burst into tears" implies a sudden and uncontrolled outbreak of crying.