half crying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "half crying" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is in a state of emotional distress, where they are both crying and trying to hold back tears or emotions. Example: "She stood at the door, half crying, as she watched him leave."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"For the Lord's sake!" said Margaret angrily, still half crying.

The New Yorker

The camera cut to Oprah, clutching her hands, half smiling, half crying.

The New Yorker

Tonight she was crestfallen, half crying and half smiling, as she skated out to accept the bronze.

The New York Times - Sports

He wouldn't eat the egg that Mather had prepared for him, but he did steal Mather's toast, which he clutched into a gummy mass in his fist while wandering around the living room, still half crying.

The New Yorker

"I was half crying when I came off the mat as well.

BBC

I've been walking around for an hour and a half crying my eyes out.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Drunk Lenin started bleating in this kind of Russian drawl that was half speech/ half cry.

Vice

(When Stanton's young wife died, he insisted on having a wedding dress made for her to be buried in, and for months he wandered through their house, half mad, crying out for his bride).

The New Yorker

Today, as I stood in the mirror, half clothed, crying thinking about how uncomfortable I was in my own skin, I failed.

Huffington Post

The crying half of this couple is not returning her Nikes to the mall.

The New York Times - Books

In grade six I spent half an hour crying in the toilets because I thought my hand was on backwards.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "half crying" to accurately portray a mixed emotional state, where someone is experiencing sadness but also attempting to maintain composure. For instance, "She was smiling, but also half crying, as she accepted the award."

Common error

While "half crying" is acceptable, avoid using it excessively in your writing, as it can become repetitive. Vary your descriptions of emotional states with synonyms like "on the verge of tears" or "fighting back tears".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "half crying" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, often describing a person's emotional state. Ludwig indicates that this construction is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "half crying" describes a specific emotional state—a blend of sadness and restraint. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While not exceedingly common, it effectively portrays someone on the verge of tears or experiencing mixed emotions. Appearing primarily in news and media contexts, it’s suitable for neutral to slightly informal registers. Related phrases like "on the verge of tears" or "fighting back tears" can offer variety in your writing. Use "half crying" when you wish to convey both sadness and a conscious effort to control emotions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the verge of tears

Focuses on the imminence of crying, but not necessarily the act itself.

almost crying

Indicates that someone nearly reached the point of crying.

near tears

Emphasizes proximity to tears, suggesting a strong likelihood of crying.

close to tears

Indicates a state very near to crying, similar to "near tears".

partially in tears

Emphasizes that someone is shedding some tears, but not completely overwhelmed.

teary-eyed

Describes the appearance of someone who is about to cry or has recently cried.

fighting back tears

Highlights the effort to suppress crying.

trying not to cry

Directly indicates an attempt to avoid crying.

barely holding back tears

Highlights the difficulty in suppressing the tears.

with tears welling up

Describes the physical manifestation of tears starting to form.

FAQs

What does "half crying" mean?

The phrase "half crying" describes a state where someone is both crying and attempting to suppress their tears or emotions, indicating a mixed emotional state.

How can I use "half crying" in a sentence?

You can use "half crying" to describe someone's emotional state in a specific moment. For example: "She was "half crying" as she recounted the story."

What are some alternatives to "half crying"?

Alternatives include "on the verge of tears", "near tears", or "teary-eyed", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "half crying"?

Yes, "half crying" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe someone experiencing mixed emotions involving sadness.