bursting with laughter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bursting with laughter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is laughing very hard or uncontrollably, often in response to something funny. Example: "After hearing the joke, she was bursting with laughter, unable to contain her amusement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

A judge appears from the courtroom, bursting with laughter.

The Guardian

By now the whole audience was bursting with laughter, watching little me swinging on a rope without any pants on.

The Guardian

I'm talking about people who seem to always have others smiling and engaging with them, bursting with laughter, and effortlessly making connections with new people.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

What had been a very quiet room burst with laughter.

The New York Times

The first is W. H. Auden's "Epitaph on a Tyrant": Perfection of a kind was what he was after, And the poetry he invented was easy to understand; He knew human folly like the back of his hand, And was greatly interested in armies and fleets; When he laughed, respectable senators burst with laughter, And when he cried the little children died in the streets.

The New Yorker

The crowd burst with angry laughter.

The New Yorker

It's their passion and strong point of view that strikes an emotional chord in us and makes us burst out with laughter.

WikiHow

It is obvious how so relatable Vic is to all as the audience burst with laughter and applause.

Huffington Post

You won't even stand up for me in America for my religious beliefs and you want me to go somewhere and fight when you won't even stand up for me here at home!" And then there he'd be on another campus, harmonizing with black students, offering an "As-salaam alaikum," with students bursting into laughter when Ali said "Oooh!

The Guardian - Opinion

It even proved an irresistible target for the hosts on "Morning Joe" on MSNBC the next day, as they kept asking one another and several of their guests "What is wrong with you?" before bursting into laughter.

The New York Times

Obviously," she said, bursting into laughter.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bursting with laughter", ensure the context clearly sets up the reason for such an intense reaction. The preceding events or dialogue should logically lead to this expressive outburst of joy.

Common error

While effective, "bursting with laughter" can become repetitive if used frequently within a short span. Vary your descriptions of laughter by using synonyms or describing physical reactions instead to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bursting with laughter" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun (typically a person or group) to vividly depict their state of being filled with laughter. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bursting with laughter" is a descriptive adjective phrase used to vividly portray a state of intense amusement. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts. While relatively uncommon, the phrase effectively conveys a strong sense of joy and is primarily found in news, media, and general narratives. For alternative expressions, consider options like ""erupting in laughter"" or ""roaring with laughter"" to add variety to your writing. Remember to avoid overuse to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

laughing uncontrollably

Directly states that the laughter cannot be contained or stopped.

erupting in laughter

Suggests a more explosive and sudden start to laughter.

roaring with laughter

Emphasizes the loudness and exuberance of the laughter.

overcome with laughter

Implies that laughter is a force that one cannot resist.

howling with laughter

Indicates a very loud, unrestrained, and often prolonged laughter.

doubled over with laughter

Indicates laughter so strong it causes physical bending.

convulsed with laughter

Suggests involuntary and intense laughter.

screaming with laughter

Implies extremely loud and unrestrained laughter, almost to a point of being out of control.

in stitches

An idiomatic expression indicating uncontrollable laughter, often due to something extremely funny.

filled with mirth

Conveys the internal feeling of joy that leads to laughter, rather than the act itself.

FAQs

How can I use "bursting with laughter" in a sentence?

You can use "bursting with laughter" to describe someone's reaction to something funny, for example: "After the comedian's joke, the audience was "bursting with laughter"".

What are some alternatives to "bursting with laughter"?

Some alternatives include "erupting in laughter", "roaring with laughter", or "laughing uncontrollably", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "bursting with laughter" formal or informal?

"Bursting with laughter" is generally considered a neutral phrase suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, very formal writing might benefit from a more nuanced description of the character's reaction.

What is the difference between "bursting with laughter" and "bursting into laughter"?

"Bursting with laughter" describes the state of being filled with laughter, whereas "bursting into laughter" describes the action of suddenly beginning to laugh. The former emphasizes the emotion, while the latter emphasizes the moment of initiation.