had been crying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been crying" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe an action that was ongoing in the past before another action occurred. Example: "She had been crying for hours before her friend arrived to comfort her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Yisroel had been crying.

The New Yorker

She had been crying.

The New Yorker

They had been crying so hard.

The New York Times

She had been crying and drinking.

The New Yorker

She had been crying, a rare event.

The New Yorker

She had been crying, her cheeks still moist.

The Washington Post

It felt like I had been crying for hours.

The New Yorker

Later, he asked her why she had been crying.

The New York Times - Health

She said that she had been crying all morning.

The Washington Post

Heather turned to the aide, who had been crying.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

They've been crying.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been crying" to describe a continuous action of crying that occurred before another event in the past. For example: "She "had been crying" for hours before he finally arrived."

Common error

Avoid using "had been crying" when a simple past tense like "cried" is sufficient. Use "had been crying" to emphasize the duration or continuity of the crying action before another past event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been crying" functions as a past perfect continuous verb phrase, indicating an action (crying) that was in progress over a period of time before another action or point in the past. Ludwig examples show its common usage in narrative contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

17%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had been crying" is a grammatically sound past perfect continuous verb phrase used to describe a continuous action of crying that occurred before another point in time. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is typically found in news and media, as well as scientific contexts, to express sadness or emotional distress that took place over a specific time. When using this phrase, ensure that the duration of the action is relevant to the context. Be mindful of related phrases such as "had wept" or "had been weeping" which can add nuances depending on what you want to express.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had wept

Replaces "crying" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing the act of shedding tears.

had been weeping

Similar to "had wept", but implies a more prolonged or intense period of crying.

had shed tears

Focuses on the physical act of shedding tears, rather than the emotional state.

had been sobbing

Specifies the type of crying as sobbing, which suggests deep, convulsive weeping.

had been bawling

Implies loud, unrestrained crying.

had been wailing

Suggests a prolonged, high-pitched cry, often associated with grief or pain.

had broken down in tears

Emphasizes the sudden onset of crying, suggesting emotional overwhelm.

had cried their eyes out

Idiomatic expression indicating intense and prolonged crying.

had a good cry

Implies a cathartic release of emotion through crying.

had been tearful

Describes a state of being prone to crying or filled with tears.

FAQs

How is "had been crying" used in a sentence?

The phrase "had been crying" indicates a past perfect continuous action, meaning it describes an action that continued for a period of time before another action or point in the past. For example: "She "had been crying" before he arrived to comfort her."

What are some alternatives to "had been crying"?

Alternatives include "had wept", "had been weeping", or "had shed tears". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "was crying" instead of "had been crying"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. "Was crying" describes an action in progress at a specific time in the past, while "had been crying" describes an action that continued for some time before another point in the past. The choice depends on the context.

What is the difference between "had been crying" and "had cried"?

"Had been crying" indicates a continuous action that happened before another point in the past, whereas "had cried" simply states that the action of crying happened before another point in the past without emphasis on the duration. For example, "She "had been crying" for hours when he found her" versus "She "had cried" after hearing the news".