he was crying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was crying" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is shedding tears, often indicating sadness or emotional distress. Example: "After hearing the news, he was crying uncontrollably in the corner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was crying again.

The New York Times - Magazine

He was crying.

The New York Times

Soon he was crying.

The New York Times - Sports

He was crying, too".

The New Yorker

He was crying, a lot".

The New York Times

"He was crying," she said.

The New York Times

He was crying, which shocked me.

University of California, Berkeley

"He was crying," Addison said.

The Washington Post

He was crying again now.

The Washington Post

Maybe he was crying wolf.

The New York Times

He was crying a lot.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing fiction, vary your descriptions of crying to avoid repetition. Consider using alternatives such as "he was sobbing" or "tears streamed down his face" to add depth and detail.

Common error

While grammatically sound, overuse of "he was crying" can make writing repetitive. Replace it with more descriptive alternatives like "he choked back a sob" or "his eyes welled up with tears" to create more vivid imagery and avoid monotony.

Linguistic Context

He was crying functions as a descriptive statement, indicating that a male subject was in the act of shedding tears. This phrase provides information about the subject's emotional state at a particular moment in the past. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

He was crying is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to describe someone expressing sadness or strong emotion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a straightforward way to indicate that a male subject was shedding tears. Usage is prevalent across various contexts, particularly in news and media, but it is also found in academic and formal settings. When writing, consider alternatives such as "he was weeping" or "he was sobbing" to enhance descriptions and avoid repetition. While effective, overuse of the phrase can lead to monotony in writing, so varying descriptions of emotional expression is advisable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was weeping

Replaces "crying" with a more formal term, suggesting deeper sorrow.

he was sobbing

Indicates a more intense and audible form of crying.

he was in tears

Emphasizes the state of being upset and emotional.

he broke down in tears

Highlights a sudden onset of crying due to overwhelming emotion.

he couldn't hold back his tears

Emphasizes the inability to control the act of crying.

tears streamed down his face

Focuses on the physical manifestation of crying.

he was shedding tears

A more descriptive and slightly formal way of saying he was crying.

he was overcome with emotion

Suggests the crying is a result of being overwhelmed.

he was deeply saddened

Focuses on the underlying feeling of sadness that leads to crying.

he was having a breakdown

Indicates severe emotional distress, which may include crying.

FAQs

How can I use "he was crying" in a sentence?

You can use "he was crying" to describe a state of sadness or emotional distress. For example, "After hearing the news, he was crying uncontrollably."

What can I say instead of "he was crying"?

You can use alternatives like "he was weeping", "he was sobbing", or "he was in tears" depending on the context.

Is "he was crying" grammatically correct?

Yes, "he was crying" is grammatically correct. It uses the past continuous tense of the verb 'to cry' with the subject 'he'.

What's the difference between "he was crying" and "he cried"?

"He was crying" implies a continuous action in the past, suggesting that he cried for a period of time. "He cried" is a simple past tense and suggests a completed action of crying.