i cried

USAGE SUMMARY

"I cried" is a perfectly valid and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use "I cried" in any sentence in which the speaker is expressing that they shed tears in response to some kind of emotional stimulus. For example: "When I saw the look on her face, I cried."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I cried some more..

Stanford University

Maisler: Yeah, I cried.

Cornell University

I cried yesterday.

The New Yorker

I think I cried.

The Guardian - Sport

Then I cried.

Independent

Instead, I cried.

The New Yorker

"I cried three times".

The New York Times

"I cried," he said.

The New York Times

"Hup, people!" I cried.

The New Yorker

That day, I cried.

The New York Times - Magazine

"You tossers!" I cried.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I cried" to directly and simply express the feeling of sadness or emotional distress. Consider adding context to specify the reason for crying.

Common error

Avoid using "I cried" repeatedly without providing context or variation in description. Vary your language to provide nuanced descriptions of your emotional state and the intensity of your feelings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I cried" functions as an intransitive verb phrase. Ludwig shows numerous examples where it stands alone, expressing a complete thought about a past emotional experience. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical validity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I cried" is a straightforward and commonly used way to express a past emotional experience involving tears. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted. The examples provided by Ludwig showcase its use across various contexts, primarily in news and media, as well as academia. While simple, it effectively communicates sadness, grief, or strong emotion, making it a versatile phrase for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I teared up

A more subtle and subdued way of saying "I cried".

I was in tears

Highlights the state of being tearful rather than the action of crying itself.

I wept

A more formal and literary synonym for "cried".

Tears streamed down my face

Focuses on the physical manifestation of crying with emphasis on the tear flow.

I shed tears

Emphasizes the action of releasing tears.

I broke down in tears

Indicates a sudden and overwhelming onset of crying.

I couldn't hold back the tears

Emphasizes the lack of control over the act of crying.

I sobbed

Implies a more intense and audible form of crying.

I bawled

Conveys a loud and unrestrained form of crying.

My eyes welled up with tears

Describes the initial feeling and the preparation for crying.

FAQs

How can I use "I cried" in a sentence?

You can use "I cried" to express a feeling of sadness or emotional distress. For example, "I cried when I heard the news".

What can I say instead of "I cried"?

You can use alternatives like "I was in tears", "I wept", or "I shed tears" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "I cried"?

Yes, "I cried" is grammatically correct. It's a simple past tense statement indicating that you shed tears.

What is the difference between "I cried" and "I teared up"?

"I cried" implies a more intense expression of sadness involving tears, while "I teared up" suggests a milder, less intense feeling where the eyes may have just started to water.