choke up

USAGE SUMMARY

'choke up' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe a feeling of emotion or distress that is difficult to express verbally. For example, "I started to choke up when I thought about all the people who had helped me during my recovery process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

They choke up.

The New York Times - Sports

"It made me choke up.

The New York Times - Arts

I did choke up a bit on TV afterwards.

Independent

Sometimes, I feel myself choke up with tears.

The Guardian - Opinion

And it's hard not to choke up a little.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Crying disrupts speech, which is why we choke up when we weep.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Now he's fully choked up.

The New York Times - Magazine

Emotional choke ups.

WikiHow

Everyone was choked up".

Independent

(choking up) Excuse me.

The New York Times - Magazine

I choked up.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a personal experience, use "choke up" to convey genuine emotion and vulnerability.

Common error

Avoid using "choke up" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "become emotional" or "struggle to maintain composure" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "choke up" primarily functions as an intransitive verb, describing the action of becoming speechless or emotional. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Examples show it used to express feelings of sadness, nostalgia, or being touched.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "choke up" is a versatile phrasal verb used to describe becoming emotionally overwhelmed, often to the point of having difficulty speaking. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used, especially in News & Media. While its register is generally neutral, consider more formal alternatives in academic or business settings. Related phrases such as "become emotional" or "struggle to speak" can provide nuanced variations. Remember to use it judiciously to effectively convey genuine emotion without sounding overly sentimental.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get choked up

A slightly more casual way to express being emotionally moved.

get choked

A more direct way of expressing being unable to speak due to emotion.

become emotional

Focuses on the emotional aspect, omitting the speech or performance impediment.

lose composure

Highlights the loss of control over one's emotions or performance.

get teary-eyed

Specifically indicates the physical manifestation of emotion through tears.

be overcome with emotion

Highlights the intensity of the emotional experience.

struggle to speak

Emphasizes the difficulty in verbal communication due to emotion.

find it hard to talk

Similar to 'struggle to speak', but with a slightly less intense connotation.

grow speechless

Focuses on the inability to speak, but might not always imply emotional distress.

become tongue-tied

Describes a difficulty in speaking, often due to nervousness or shyness.

FAQs

How can I use "choke up" in a sentence?

You can use "choke up" to describe feeling overwhelmed with emotion, like in the sentence: "I started to "choke up" when I saw her after so many years".

What can I say instead of "choke up"?

You can use alternatives like "become emotional", "lose composure", or "get teary-eyed" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "choke up"?

Yes, "choke up" is a grammatically correct phrasal verb that is commonly used in English to describe becoming emotional or having difficulty speaking due to emotion.

What's the difference between "choke up" and "get choked up"?

The phrases "choke up" and "get choked up" are mostly interchangeable and carry the same meaning. "Get choked up" might sound slightly more casual.