broke into laughter

USAGE SUMMARY

"broke into laughter" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to suddenly start laughing. Example: As soon as he heard the joke, John broke into laughter, causing everyone in the room to join in.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Both broke into laughter.

The New York Times

Everyone broke into laughter.

The New Yorker

Schumer broke into laughter.

The Washington Post

The crowd broke into laughter, then applause.

The New York Times

The jurors broke into laughter.

The New York Times - Sports

The packed hearing room broke into laughter.

The Washington Post

To be honest, I broke into laughter.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Both conference rooms break into laughter.

The New York Times - Tech

But then she breaks into laughter.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

What's happening in life?" Vardy says, breaking into laughter.

The Guardian - Sport

"I'm frankly anti-any-kind-of-balls," he declared, breaking into laughter.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "broke into laughter" to depict a spontaneous and often irrepressible reaction to something funny or amusing. It's most effective when highlighting the immediacy of the response.

Common error

Avoid using "broke into laughter" in somber or serious situations where laughter would be considered disrespectful or out of place. Ensure the context aligns with the expression's connotation of amusement and levity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "broke into laughter" functions as a descriptive verb phrase, indicating the sudden commencement of the action of laughing. Ludwig shows its use in diverse contexts to illustrate an immediate reaction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

93%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

1%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "broke into laughter" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe the sudden commencement of laughter. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted and used in varied contexts, predominantly within news and media. While predominantly neutral, it leans slightly towards informal contexts and effectively conveys immediate amusement. Remember to use it in situations where the context is lighthearted, avoiding more somber or serious settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

burst out laughing

Emphasizes the sudden and forceful nature of the laughter.

erupted in laughter

Suggests a more explosive and unrestrained burst of laughter.

cracked up

Is an informal way to describe someone suddenly laughing.

dissolved into laughter

Implies that the laughter took over completely.

choked back laughter

Indicates an attempt to suppress laughter, contrasting with its open expression.

succumbed to laughter

Highlights the irresistible nature of whatever caused the laughter.

started laughing uncontrollably

Emphasizes the lack of control over the laughter.

began to chuckle

Describes a quieter and more subdued form of laughter.

guffawed loudly

Specifies a boisterous and hearty type of laughter.

smiled broadly

Focuses on the facial expression accompanying a milder amusement.

FAQs

How can I use "broke into laughter" in a sentence?

You can use "broke into laughter" to describe a sudden, often irrepressible, start of laughing. For example: "When he told the joke, the audience "broke into laughter"."

What can I say instead of "broke into laughter"?

Alternatives include "burst out laughing", "erupted in laughter", or "started laughing" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "break into laughter"?

While "broke into laughter" is the past tense, "break into laughter" is the present tense form. Use "break into laughter" for habitual actions or general truths, and "broke into laughter" for specific past events.

What's the difference between "chortled" and "broke into laughter"?

"Chortled" describes a specific type of laugh – a mix between a chuckle and a snort. "Broke into laughter" simply describes the act of suddenly beginning to laugh, without specifying the type of laugh.