began to cry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "began to cry" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the action of someone starting to cry, often in response to an emotional situation. Example: "When she heard the news, she began to cry, overwhelmed by her feelings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

She began to cry.

The New York Times

Teammates began to cry.

The New York Times - Magazine

Usl began to cry.

The New Yorker

Nikeita began to cry.

The New Yorker

I began to cry.

The New York Times - Magazine

He began to cry.

The New York Times

Finally, he began to cry.

The New York Times

Ms. Tracy began to cry.

The New York Times

(Here Sal began to cry).

The New Yorker

My sister began to cry.

The New Yorker

Maria Teresa began to cry.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "began to cry" to depict the initial stage of someone expressing sadness or strong emotion. It effectively conveys the moment tears start to flow.

Common error

While "began to cry" is a valid phrase, overusing it can make your writing melodramatic. Vary your descriptions of emotional responses with alternatives like "started to weep" or "burst into tears" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "began to cry" functions as a verb phrase indicating the start of an emotional reaction, specifically the act of crying. As Ludwig AI explains, it's grammatically correct and frequently used, depicting the moment someone starts to shed tears.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "began to cry" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase to describe the onset of tears, suitable for various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and commonality. While versatile, it's wise to avoid overuse for dramatic effect and consider alternatives like "started crying" or "burst into tears" for variety. The phrase appears predominantly in News & Media sources, indicating its broad applicability and neutral register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

started crying

Simple tense change, focusing on the starting action.

burst into tears

Emphasizes a sudden and intense onset of crying.

broke down in tears

Highlights a loss of emotional control leading to crying.

started to weep

Uses a more formal verb, 'weep', for 'cry'.

tears welled up

Focuses on the physical manifestation of tears forming.

became tearful

Shifts to an adjective describing the state of being close to crying.

was on the verge of tears

Indicates being close to crying but not yet crying.

couldn't hold back the tears

Highlights the inability to suppress the urge to cry.

succumbed to tears

Implies a yielding to the emotional impulse to cry.

dissolved into tears

Conveys a complete emotional surrender expressed through crying.

FAQs

How can I use "began to cry" in a sentence?

You can use "began to cry" to describe the onset of tears due to an emotional trigger. For example: "Upon hearing the news, she "began to cry"."

What are some alternatives to "began to cry"?

Some alternatives include "started crying", "burst into tears", or "started to weep", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "began crying" grammatically different from "began to cry"?

Both "began crying" and ""began to cry"" are grammatically correct, but "began to cry" can sometimes emphasize the deliberate action or initial moment, while "began crying" might suggest a more continuous process.

When is it appropriate to use "began to cry" in writing?

It is appropriate when describing the initial manifestation of tears, often indicating sadness, grief, or overwhelming emotion. The phrase is suitable for both formal and informal writing.