children were crying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "children were crying" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where children are expressing their emotions through tears, often in contexts related to distress or sadness. Example: "As the thunderstorm raged outside, the children were crying, frightened by the loud noises."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

My children were crying.

The Guardian

"The children were crying".

The New York Times

My children were crying constantly".

The New York Times

"Children were crying for food.

The Guardian

Lots of children were crying.

The Guardian

The children were crying for water.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

"My women and children are crying.

The Economist

"A lot of the children are crying at the camp.

The New York Times

The children are crying, or the parents are crying?

The New York Times - Magazine

"Look here, mothers are crying, children are crying, because there is no news about victims," he said.

The New York Times

"What is the benefit when children are crying and people are dying due to hunger?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "children were crying", ensure the context clearly indicates the cause of their distress to enhance the reader's understanding and emotional connection.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "children were crying" excessively in passive constructions, as it can weaken the impact of the sentence. Instead, focus on active descriptions of the children's emotional state and the specific reasons for their tears.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "children were crying" functions as a descriptive statement, illustrating an emotional state. Ludwig AI shows examples where it describes reactions to traumatic events, general distress, or expressions of sadness. It uses the past continuous tense to emphasize the ongoing nature of the action.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "children were crying" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe children expressing sadness or distress. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in various contexts, most notably in news and media, indicating real-world events and situations. The phrase serves to evoke empathy and highlight vulnerability. While straightforward, careful consideration should be given to the surrounding context to ensure the message's full impact and emotional depth. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about the cause of the children's distress. Alternative phrases like "kids were sobbing" or "youngsters were weeping" can offer different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the kids were in tears

Rephrases the sentence structure to focus on the presence of tears.

kids were sobbing

Replaces "crying" with "sobbing", suggesting a more intense form of crying.

the youths were tearful

Focuses on the presence of tears as a sign of sadness or distress.

youngsters were weeping

Substitutes "children" with "youngsters" and "crying" with "weeping", offering a slightly more formal tone.

babies were wailing

Changes "children" to "babies" and "crying" to "wailing", indicating a higher-pitched and more distressed cry.

infants were bawling

Replaces "children" with "infants" and "crying" with "bawling", implying loud and unrestrained crying.

toddlers were upset

Uses "upset" instead of "crying", suggesting a broader emotional distress that may or may not involve tears.

the little ones were distressed

Employs "distressed" instead of "crying", highlighting their emotional suffering.

the minors were in anguish

Uses "anguish" to emphasize deep emotional pain, making it more dramatic.

the juveniles were lamenting

Substitutes "children" with "juveniles" and "crying" with "lamenting", adding a formal and sorrowful tone.

FAQs

How can I describe why "children were crying" in more detail?

To provide more detail, specify the cause of their tears: "The children were crying because they were scared", or describe the manner of crying: "The children were crying loudly and uncontrollably".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "children were crying"?

You can use alternatives like "kids were sobbing", "youngsters were weeping", or "babies were wailing" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more effective to say "the children cried" or "children were crying"?

"The children cried" is a simple past tense, indicating a completed action. "Children were crying" uses the past continuous tense, suggesting an ongoing state. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the action or the state of crying.

What is the difference between saying "a child was crying" versus "children were crying"?

"A child was crying" refers to a single child, while "children were crying" refers to multiple children. The choice depends on whether you're describing one child or a group of children.