erupted in laughter

USAGE SUMMARY

"erupted in laughter" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
Example sentence: After hearing the punchline of the joke, the crowd erupted in laughter.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The crowd erupted in laughter.

The New Yorker

The class erupted in laughter.

The New Yorker

The stands 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

Badu erupted in laughter.

The New Yorker

Everyone, driver included, erupted in laughter.

The New York Times

Both boys erupted in laughter.

The New York Times

The packed court erupted in laughter.

The Guardian

The entire place erupted in laughter.

The New Yorker

The witness responded yes, and the courtroom erupted in laughter.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "erupted in laughter" to vividly describe a sudden and boisterous reaction to something funny or surprising. This phrase is particularly effective when conveying the immediate and collective nature of the amusement.

Common error

Avoid using "erupted in laughter" to describe a slow, gradual increase in amusement. "Erupt" implies a sudden burst, so choose verbs like "increased" or "swelled" for more gradual reactions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "erupted in laughter" functions as a verb phrase indicating a sudden, collective expression of amusement. As illustrated by Ludwig, it vividly describes an immediate and often boisterous reaction to something funny or surprising.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "erupted in laughter" effectively conveys a sudden, collective, and often boisterous expression of amusement. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and widely used, particularly in News & Media. While synonyms like "burst into laughter" or "exploded with laughter" exist, "erupted in laughter" provides a distinct image of an immediate and unrestrained reaction. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the intended context of sudden, collective amusement to maximize its impact. Steer clear of using other verbs if the intention is not about immediate and/or collective amusement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

burst into laughter

Replaces "erupted" with "burst", conveying a similar suddenness but with a slightly different image of containment being broken.

exploded with laughter

Substitutes "erupted" with "exploded", emphasizing a more forceful and unrestrained outburst of laughter.

roared with laughter

Replaces "erupted" with "roared", highlighting the loudness and intensity of the laughter.

dissolved into laughter

Uses "dissolved" to suggest that the group's previous state was overtaken by the laughter, implying a more gradual transition.

convulsed with laughter

Emphasizes the physical reaction to the laughter, suggesting shaking or uncontrollable movement.

were in stitches

An idiomatic expression that conveys extreme amusement and laughter.

collapsed in laughter

Suggests the laughter was so intense that it caused a metaphorical collapse, either physically or emotionally.

howled with laughter

Similar to "roared", but with a slightly more animalistic or unrestrained connotation.

split their sides laughing

An older idiom expressing intense laughter, suggesting it's so funny it's physically painful.

creased up with laughter

Primarily a British expression, indicating that someone is laughing so much their face is wrinkling up.

FAQs

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

You can use "erupted in laughter" to describe a sudden, collective burst of amusement. For example, "When the comedian told the punchline, the audience erupted in laughter."

What are some synonyms for "erupted in laughter"?

Alternatives include "burst into laughter", "exploded with laughter", or "roared with laughter", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "erupted with laughter" instead of "erupted in laughter"?

While "erupted with laughter" is understandable, "erupted in laughter" is the more common and idiomatic phrasing. It more naturally conveys the image of laughter as a sudden outpouring.

What's the difference between "erupted in laughter" and "started laughing"?

"Started laughing" is a more general description of the beginning of laughter. "Erupted in laughter" suggests a more immediate, forceful, and collective outburst of amusement.