bouts of laughter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bouts of laughter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe episodes or instances of laughing, often in a spontaneous or uncontrollable manner. Example: "During the comedy show, there were several bouts of laughter that filled the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Finally, after expertly milking four bouts of laughter from one line, he delivers the actual joke: that marketeers can find an opportunity for making money in anything.

The Guardian

"It's part of our legacy of the wild and loony brainstorming we've been doing on Cuba going back to the '50s," Ann Louise Bardach, a Cuba expert and author of "Without Fidel," said Thursday between bouts of laughter.

The Washington Post

The games are punctuated by occasional bouts of laughter and encouraging words and tips from the coaches at hand.

Huffington Post

Periodically burst into strange, forced bouts of laughter and say things like "I'm a real dog person, I love dogs, must love dogs, right?

Vice

At one meeting in 1982, the representative from Djibouti said that the behavior of Israeli soldiers "reminded us of the sadistic bouts of laughter and amusement of the Nazi Germans". Israel's ambassador, a Holocaust survivor, listened in disbelief.

Los Angeles Times

Sexual intercourse is another activity capable of spiking readings, and even bouts of laughter can see blood pressure jump as many as 10-15 points in a healthy person with normal heart function.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

They could soon be heard dissolving into a bout of laughter.

The New York Times

Harper, in turn, claimed to have a "great relationship" with the US administration and with Obama — prompting another bout of laughter from listeners.

Vice

In this YouTube video uploaded earlier this month, a baby boy and his mom, who wishes to remain anonymous, share an uplifting bout of laughter over a book of animal noises.

Huffington Post

Lifting her muddy-footed baby onto her hip, Karla looks at me, and we're both hit by a gut-busting (in my case, this is an actual possibility) bout of laughter.

Huffington Post

Tillman proposed a "maximum battleship" in a Senate resolution in July 1912, which was adopted unanimously: Tillman's proposal, however, was treated in his own words as a "joke"; the Advocate of Peace stated that "it is nearly impossible to read this ... without having an inextinguishable bout of laughter".

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bouts of laughter" to describe instances where laughter occurs repeatedly or in distinct episodes, indicating a series of laughing fits rather than a single instance. It's particularly effective when describing reactions to humorous or absurd situations.

Common error

Avoid using "bouts of laughter" to describe continuous, sustained laughter. The term implies distinct episodes or periods of laughter, not a single, prolonged instance. Instead, use phrases like "continuous laughter" or "uninterrupted laughter".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bouts of laughter" functions as a noun phrase typically acting as the object or complement in a sentence. It describes occurrences of laughter. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's used to portray repeated episodes, rather than a continuous instance of laughing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "bouts of laughter" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe episodes of laughing. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage, particularly in neutral contexts like News & Media. While alternatives like "bursts of laughter" or "fits of laughter" exist, "bouts of laughter" is effective for indicating repeated instances of laughter. Remember to use it for distinct episodes, not continuous laughter, to avoid common usage errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fits of laughter

Focuses more on the sudden and uncontrollable nature of the laughter.

bursts of laughter

Emphasizes the explosive and sudden onset of laughter.

spells of laughter

Highlights the temporary and recurrent nature of the laughter.

moments of levity

Shifts the focus from the laughter itself to the lightheartedness of the situation.

periods of mirth

Uses a more formal and literary term for joy and amusement.

times of amusement

General expression indicating moments filled with amusement.

episodes of hilarity

Highlights the extreme amusement and comedy of the situation.

outbursts of glee

Conveys a strong sense of joy and excitement expressed through laughter.

waves of merriment

Evokes the image of laughter spreading like a wave.

sounds of joy

A broader expression indicating auditory evidence of happiness, which includes laughter.

FAQs

How can I use "bouts of laughter" in a sentence?

You can use "bouts of laughter" to describe periods or episodes of laughing. For example, "The comedian's jokes were met with "bouts of laughter" from the audience."

What are some alternatives to "bouts of laughter"?

Alternatives include "bursts of laughter", "fits of laughter", or "spells of laughter", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "bout of laughter" instead of "bouts of laughter"?

"Bout of laughter" refers to a single episode, whereas "bouts of laughter" refers to multiple episodes. The choice depends on whether you are describing one instance or several.

What is the difference between "bouts of laughter" and "moments of laughter"?

"Bouts of laughter" implies a more intense and perhaps uncontrollable period of laughing, while "moments of laughter" suggests brief, lighter instances of amusement.