crying uncontrollably

USAGE SUMMARY

'crying uncontrollably' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is crying with no ability to stop. Example sentence: The baby was crying uncontrollably, so we rocked her gently until she calmed down.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

And this family was just crying uncontrollably.

The New York Times

"She was crying uncontrollably until this morning".

The New York Times

The children were crying uncontrollably; their cat was still inside.

The New Yorker

Meltem told her mother, who was crying uncontrollably.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The baby boy, 10 days old, was crying uncontrollably every afternoon.

The New York Times

"He started crying uncontrollably and he had to pull off the road," Mr. Ungar recalled.

The New York Times

Undone by plans gone awry, and crying uncontrollably, she called Mr. Hubbard for support.

The New York Times

Then she began crying uncontrollably, and when she spoke, she made no sense.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I asked again and Sumner made a grunting noise and began crying uncontrollably".

The Guardian

"They go through moments of silence and shock and then moments of just crying uncontrollably," Ms. Meng said.

The New York Times

Until then, the only thing on his mind had been young Zaid, who had been crying uncontrollably for hours.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "crying uncontrollably", ensure the context clearly establishes the cause of the distress to provide a more complete picture for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "crying uncontrollably" repeatedly in a narrative; instead, vary your descriptions with alternative phrases or focus on the character's physical reactions and inner thoughts to convey their emotional state effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "crying uncontrollably" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying the verb "crying". It describes how someone is crying, indicating a lack of control over the emotional expression. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "crying uncontrollably" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a state of intense, unrestrained crying. As indicated by Ludwig, it functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying the verb "crying". Its primary purpose is to convey a strong emotional state, often found in news reports, personal narratives, and other contexts as shown by Ludwig. While generally neutral, it's important to consider the context to avoid potential negative connotations related to a perceived lack of emotional control. Varying descriptions and providing context help create richer narratives. Alternatives like "sobbing profusely" or "weeping inconsolably" can add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sobbing profusely

Implies heavy, unrestrained crying with audible gasps.

weeping inconsolably

Highlights the inability to be comforted while crying.

bawling loudly

Suggests noisy and unrestrained crying, often associated with children.

shedding tears profusely

Describes an abundant flow of tears.

bursting into tears

Emphasizes the sudden onset of crying.

dissolving in tears

Suggests being overwhelmed by sorrow to the point of being consumed by tears.

losing control of emotions

Describes the lack of control in expressing emotions, which manifests as crying.

breaking down in tears

Indicates a sudden collapse into a state of crying.

overwhelmed with emotion

Describes being overcome by feelings, leading to tears.

utterly devastated

Highlights the extreme emotional distress that results in crying.

FAQs

How can I describe someone "crying uncontrollably" in a more nuanced way?

You can use phrases such as "sobbing profusely", "weeping inconsolably", or "bursting into tears" to add different layers of meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to say "crying uncontrollably"?

Yes, "crying uncontrollably" is grammatically correct. "Crying" is a verb in its present participle form, and "uncontrollably" is an adverb modifying the verb, indicating the manner of crying.

What are some common situations where someone might be "crying uncontrollably"?

People may cry uncontrollably due to intense grief, overwhelming joy, extreme pain, or severe emotional distress.

Are there any negative connotations associated with the phrase "crying uncontrollably"?

While generally neutral, "crying uncontrollably" can sometimes imply a lack of emotional control or vulnerability, depending on the context.