cried out

USAGE SUMMARY

"cried out" is a correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone shouting or screaming something urgently or in distress. Example: When the child fell off the swing, she cried out in pain.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Animals!" she cried out.

The New York Times - Sports

Ferry cried out happily.

The New Yorker

"No one cried out.

Independent

All cried out.

The New York Times - Magazine

We cried out, too.

The Guardian

"Ouch!" I cried out.

The New York Times

Mr. Burrage cried out.

The New York Times

Chanel cried out in pain.

The New Yorker

Suddenly, Ms. Matsuura cried out.

The New York Times

"So what?" Khadzhikurbanov cried out.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

We're cried out.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cried out" to emphasize the emotional intensity behind a spoken expression, indicating that the person was not just speaking but expressing strong feeling.

Common error

Avoid using "cried out" to describe inanimate objects unless you are employing personification. Saying "The engine cried out" is acceptable in creative writing but not generally in formal writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cried out" functions as a verb phrase, specifically the past tense of the phrasal verb "cry out". Ludwig AI confirms it's a correct phrase often used to express a sudden, forceful vocalization, typically due to pain, fear, or strong emotion, as demonstrated in the examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Academia

5%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cried out" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe a sudden, often emotional, vocalization. As Ludwig AI confirms, it frequently appears in news and media, as well as in literature, conveying a sense of urgency or intensity. While generally neutral in register, it's best used to describe vocalizations of people, and misuse with inanimate subjects should be avoided unless personification is intended. For alternatives, consider words like "shouted", "exclaimed", or "yelled" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shouted

Expresses a loud vocalization, often with less emphasis on emotion than "cried out".

exclaimed

Indicates a sudden and emphatic utterance, often in surprise or excitement.

screamed

Conveys a high-pitched vocalization, often expressing fear or pain.

yelled

Suggests a forceful and often angry vocalization.

called out

Implies a directed vocalization, often to get someone's attention.

hollered

Implies a loud, informal shout or call.

wailed

Indicates a prolonged cry of sorrow or grief.

bellowed

Suggests a loud, deep vocalization, often expressing anger or dominance.

burst out

Describes a sudden and forceful expression, not necessarily vocal.

uttered

Suggests a formal or deliberate vocalization.

FAQs

How can I use "cried out" in a sentence?

The phrase "cried out" describes a sudden, often emotional, vocalization. For example, "She "cried out" in pain when she stubbed her toe."

What's a good alternative for "cried out"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "shouted", "exclaimed", or "yelled".

Is it correct to say "cried out loud"?

Saying "cried out loud" is redundant because "cried out" already implies a loud vocalization. Simply use ""cried out"".

What's the difference between "cried out" and "called out"?

"Cried out" suggests a more emotional or distressed vocalization, while "called out" typically indicates a directed vocalization to get someone's attention.