fit of crying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fit of crying" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden and intense episode of crying, often due to strong emotions. Example: "After hearing the sad news, she was overcome by a fit of crying that lasted for several minutes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

And when the cameras roll, the actress must, in a fit of crying, communicate a lifetime of wishing that things were different and worrying that they might never be.

The New York Times - Magazine

And dinner with a toddler is a ticking time bomb until food is all over the floor, or there's a fit of crying.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

He sometimes woke in the night and had strange fits of crying, during which he didn't recognize her and screamed in her arms for his mummy.

The New Yorker

The toy known as Sheepy would go missing at least once a week, inspiring fits of crying from the little girl and a frantic search by her parents and Villa, their Colombian au pair.

The Washington Post

I was given to fits of crying.

Huffington Post

There are no endless fits of crying or love letters tucked away under the pillow.

HuffPost

People couldn't keep up with my impulsive behaviour, the manic phases and the fits of crying.

Vice

People couldn't keep up with my impulsive behavior, the manic phases and the fits of crying.

Vice

9 Nov 1997 I think I handle (Laura's) fits of crying better than I did with Sarah - I've learnt to, once getting to me, to walk away and breathe in for a while myself.

Huffington Post

On the other, it's time to see if Americans really do have a great big hard-on for the kind of politicians who break down in hysterical fits of crying rage every time they think of a world in which God is not number one and gays are allowed to go around sodomizing each other.

Vice

You don't want to invoke anger or fits of crying with either one of you.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fit of crying" to describe a sudden, intense, and often uncontrollable episode of crying. It's suitable when you want to emphasize the abruptness and intensity of the emotional outburst.

Common error

Avoid using "fit of crying" to describe mild sadness or a prolonged, subdued state of unhappiness. Reserve it for instances where the crying is sudden, intense, and noticeable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fit of crying" functions as a noun phrase describing a sudden and intense episode of crying. Ludwig AI indicates that it's a grammatically correct and usable expression. Examples show its use to describe both a lifetime of wishing things were different and a reaction to a missing toy.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fit of crying" is a grammatically correct and usable English expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It describes a sudden and intense episode of crying, often stemming from strong emotions. While not overly formal, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various contexts, including news and media. When writing, it's best to reserve "fit of crying" for situations characterized by sudden, noticeable, and intense crying, rather than general sadness. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "bout of weeping".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uncontrollable weeping

Underscores the lack of control over the crying, emphasizing its intensity and involuntariness.

burst of tears

Focuses on the sudden release of tears, emphasizing the abrupt beginning of the crying episode.

sudden crying spell

Combines the suddenness of the onset with the limited duration of the episode.

bout of weeping

Highlights the period of weeping, suggesting a contained but significant emotional release.

spell of crying

Emphasizes the temporary nature of the crying episode, framing it as a passing event.

wave of sadness

Shifts focus to the underlying emotion, describing the feeling that precipitates the crying.

moment of despair

Highlights the intense negative emotion leading to crying, suggesting a peak of hopelessness.

emotional breakdown

Describes a more severe emotional event, where crying is one component of a larger collapse.

outburst of emotion

Broadens the expression to encompass any intense emotion, which may include crying.

grief stricken

Describes a state of being deeply affected by grief, which often manifests as crying.

FAQs

How can I use "fit of crying" in a sentence?

You might say, "The character in the movie had a "fit of crying" after receiving the bad news" or "The toddler had a "fit of crying" when his toy was taken away".

What are some alternatives to "fit of crying"?

You can use alternatives like "burst of tears", "bout of weeping", or "spell of crying" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "fit of crying" in formal writing?

While "fit of crying" is widely understood, in formal writing, you might consider using alternatives like "bout of weeping" or "sudden crying spell" for a more refined tone.

What causes a "fit of crying"?

A "fit of crying" can be triggered by various intense emotions such as grief, extreme sadness, frustration, or even overwhelming joy. It often signifies a peak in emotional intensity.