crying over

USAGE SUMMARY

"crying over" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to someone crying or feeling sad over something. Example sentence: Toby was crying over the loss of his beloved pet.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Is it a loss worth crying over?

The New Yorker

But I've spent hours crying over that damn bird".

The New Yorker

Who is this person you keep crying over?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He's not crying for the victims... he's crying over his extremely childish film".

Independent

"She's actually crying over here.

Huffington Post

That's OK, I'm not crying over spilled ink.

Huffington Post

Charlie, having been mysteriously locked in the car, starts crying over his father's death.

Wikipedia

I'm crying over a horse.

The New York Times - Sports

Crying over my family and crying over Ben.

The New Yorker

I remember always crying over it.

The New York Times

No use crying over it.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "crying over" to express emotional distress or regret about something that has happened, but be mindful of the context. Overusing it can make writing seem overly sentimental.

Common error

Avoid using "crying over" in situations where a more objective or detached tone is appropriate. In professional writing, stick to factual language and avoid overly emotional expressions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "crying over" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to express emotional distress, regret, or sorrow about a specific event, situation, or person. It describes the act of feeling upset and possibly shedding tears because of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Wiki

8%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "crying over" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express sadness or regret about something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's perfectly acceptable in written English. Predominantly found in news and media, as well as informal contexts, its usage conveys emotional distress over a specific event or situation. While generally neutral in register, it's advisable to avoid it in strictly formal or scientific writing where objectivity is key. When a less emotional expression is needed, alternatives like "lamenting about" or "regretting deeply" can be considered. Remember, using "crying over" should be appropriate for the specific context and desired tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

weeping for

Highlights the act of crying as an expression of deep sadness or sorrow.

lamenting about

Focuses on expressing sorrow or regret, often verbally.

being heartbroken about

Focuses on the emotional pain and devastation caused by a loss or disappointment.

regretting deeply

Emphasizes the intensity of regret felt about a past event or situation.

mourning the loss of

Highlights the feeling of grief and sorrow associated with losing something valuable.

feeling sorry for

Expresses sympathy and sadness for someone's misfortune.

bemoaning the fate of

Focuses on expressing discontent and sorrow about an unfortunate situation.

dwelling on

Implies spending excessive time thinking about something negative, leading to sadness.

losing sleep over

Highlights the anxiety and worry caused by something, leading to sleepless nights.

anguishing about

Conveys a sense of extreme anxiety and emotional distress.

FAQs

How can I use "crying over" in a sentence?

You can use "crying over" to describe feeling sad or regretful about something. For example, "She was "crying over" the lost opportunity".

What are some alternatives to "crying over"?

Some alternatives include "lamenting about", "regretting deeply", or "mourning the loss of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever inappropriate to use the phrase "crying over"?

Yes, it can be inappropriate in formal or professional contexts where a more objective tone is required. In such cases, it's better to use less emotionally charged language.

What's the difference between "crying over" and "dwelling on"?

"Crying over" implies an emotional response of sadness or regret, while "dwelling on" suggests spending excessive time thinking about something, which may or may not involve crying.