erupt in laughter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'erupt in laughter' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which someone or a group of people suddenly burst into laughter. For example: The group of friends suddenly erupted in laughter when they heard the funny joke.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"Every time they appear on the screen, entire theaters in Bombay erupt in laughter.

The New York Times

"Mom, this water is not colored," he wails as the water bubbles up, a line that makes the other passengers erupt in laughter.

The New York Times

The only thing stupider than the mad rush to denounce Trump on the left and now the right is the way that comedians talk about him, as if they could just walk on stage, say his name and the audience would erupt in laughter.

The Guardian - Opinion

Indeed, when asked to comment on the rumor that Chodiev was once a KGB agent, they erupt in laughter.

Forbes

"I f*****' did it," she said frankly, causing the audience to erupt in laughter.

Huffington Post

As a rider with L plates revs at a traffic light, his engine splutters and stalls, causing most of the bus to erupt in laughter and patronizing pointing.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

"You know, we were doing so well there," Mr. Weiner told her, in mock disappointment as the train erupted in laughter.

The New York Times

The crowd erupted in laughter.

The New Yorker

The class erupted in laughter.

The New Yorker

The audience erupted in laughter.

The New York Times

The room erupted in laughter.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "erupt in laughter" to vividly describe a sudden, forceful outburst of laughter, particularly when the cause is unexpected or highly amusing.

Common error

Avoid using "erupt in laughter" when the situation only warrants a mild chuckle or polite smile. This phrase is best reserved for moments of genuine, unrestrained hilarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "erupt in laughter" functions as a descriptive expression, depicting a sudden and forceful display of amusement. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely accepted in English writing and speech. Examples in Ludwig showcase it describing audience reactions, personal anecdotes, and responses to humorous situations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "erupt in laughter" effectively describes a sudden and intense burst of laughter. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Primarily used in News & Media contexts, this expression emphasizes the spontaneity and strength of amusement. While the phrase is not overly common, it provides a vivid and impactful way to portray a moment of hilarity. Related phrases such as "burst into laughter" and "roar with laughter" offer similar connotations. When using "erupt in laughter", ensure that the situation warrants such a strong depiction of amusement to avoid exaggeration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

burst into laughter

Focuses on the sudden release of laughter, similar to "erupt", but with a less explosive connotation.

break into laughter

Emphasizes the start of laughter, akin to "erupt", but with a smoother, less abrupt feel.

roar with laughter

Highlights the loudness and intensity of the laughter, sharing the forcefulness of "erupt".

explode with laughter

Similar to "erupt", this emphasizes the sudden and intense nature of the laughter.

erupt in guffaws

Replaces "laughter" with "guffaws", emphasizing loud, hearty laughter.

dissolve into laughter

Suggests a gradual giving way to laughter, contrasting with the suddenness of "erupt".

erupt in chuckles

Replaces "laughter" with "chuckles", indicating softer, quieter laughter.

collapse in laughter

Implies a helpless yielding to laughter, differing from the explosive nature of "erupt".

be overcome with laughter

Highlights the feeling of being overwhelmed by laughter, a more passive experience than "erupt".

erupt in hysterics

Replaces "laughter" with "hysterics", emphasizing uncontrollable and possibly exaggerated laughter.

FAQs

How can I use "erupt in laughter" in a sentence?

Use "erupt in laughter" to describe a sudden, explosive outburst of laughter. For example, "The audience "erupted in laughter" at the comedian's punchline."

What can I say instead of "erupt in laughter"?

You can use alternatives like "burst into laughter", "break into laughter", or "roar with laughter depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "erupt in laughter"?

Yes, "erupt in laughter" is a correct and commonly used phrase to describe a sudden outburst of laughter.

What's the difference between "erupt in laughter" and "smile"?

"Erupt in laughter" describes a loud, sudden expression of amusement, while "smile" indicates a quieter, more subtle form of happiness or amusement.