cry about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cry about" is correct and usable in written English.
You typically use it when the speaker is expressing sadness or upset about something that has happened. For example, "I've been crying about the broken vase all day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

What did I have to cry about?

The New York Times

What am I going to cry about?

The New York Times - Sports

I'll give you something to cry about".

The New York Times

"Everybody's got something they could cry about".

The New Yorker

"There was a lot to cry about," Brooke said.

Independent

What is there to really cry about?

Los Angeles Times

"I'm not going to cry about anything," she said, "because there's nothing to cry about".

Los Angeles Times

Nothing to cry about.

The New Yorker

Women cry about weight.

The New York Times

This is nothing to cry about.

Independent

You can't cry about your mishaps.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cry about", consider the context and ensure that it accurately conveys the intended emotion. Overusing it can diminish its impact, so vary your vocabulary with synonyms like "grieve over" or "lament about" for a more nuanced expression.

Common error

Avoid using "cry about" when a less intense emotion is more appropriate. For minor inconveniences, consider phrases like "be annoyed by" or "express mild frustration" rather than implying deep sadness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cry about" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an emotional response of sadness or grief towards a specific subject. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in expressing feelings related to a particular situation, seen in examples like "I can "cry about" it".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Huffington Post

30%

The New York Times

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cry about" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to express sadness, regret, or disappointment over something. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, its function is primarily to convey an emotional response to a particular event or situation. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources, as well as platforms like The New York Times and Huffington Post, indicating its widespread use in expressing personal emotions. While it is considered to have a neutral register, it's essential to use it appropriately, avoiding overstatement in less intense situations and considering synonyms such as "grieve over" or "lament about" for more nuanced expressions. Overall, "cry about" remains a versatile phrase for conveying emotional distress in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be sad about

A simpler and more direct way of expressing sadness.

grieve over

Focuses more on the act of mourning or feeling sorrow for something lost.

weep over

Highlights the act of shedding tears due to sadness or distress.

lament about

Implies a more formal or public expression of sorrow or regret.

shed tears for

Directly refers to the act of crying as a response to something.

bemoan the fact that

Adds emphasis to the specific thing that is causing sadness or regret.

bewail

A more formal and literary term for expressing great sorrow or regret.

get upset about

Indicates a general feeling of being bothered or disturbed by something.

complain about

Shifts the focus to expressing dissatisfaction or annoyance rather than sadness.

moan about

Suggests a more whiny or irritating form of complaining.

FAQs

How can I use "cry about" in a sentence?

You can use "cry about" to express sadness or regret over something. For example, "She began to cry about the lost opportunity" or "They can't "cry about" it now; the decision has been made".

What are some alternatives to "cry about"?

Alternatives include "grieve over", "weep over", or "be sad about", depending on the context and the intensity of the emotion you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "crying about"?

Yes, "crying about" is grammatically correct and functions as a present participle phrase. For example, "She was crying about the movie she watched".

What's the difference between "cry about" and "complain about"?

"Cry about" typically implies a deeper emotional response of sadness or grief, while "complain about" suggests dissatisfaction or annoyance. You "cry about" a loss, but you complain about poor service.