in laughter

USAGE SUMMARY

"in laughter" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the manner in which something is said, typically to indicate a light-hearted or humorous tone. For example, "He exclaimed 'That's impossible!' in laughter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Cruel eyes crinkle in laughter.

The New York Times

The audience erupted in laughter.

The New York Times

The room erupted in laughter.

The New York Times - Sports

The crowd erupted in laughter.

The New Yorker

"Vertical!" He exploded in laughter.

The New Yorker

The class erupted in laughter.

The New Yorker

The stands erupted in laughter.

The New Yorker

Badu erupted in laughter.

The New Yorker

The opera house exploded in laughter.

The New Yorker

Everyone, driver included, erupted in laughter.

The New York Times

Conversation with him always ended in laughter.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in laughter" to add color to descriptions of social interactions, indicating not just that someone laughed, but how their laughter contributed to the situation or conversation. For example, "He dismissed the suggestion with a wave of his hand, saying it was nonsense in laughter."

Common error

Avoid using "in laughter" when describing actions that are unrelated to humor. It's specifically used to describe the manner of speaking or behaving while laughing, not as a general indicator of happiness or joy. Instead, use phrases like "with joy" or "happily" to express general positive emotion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in laughter" functions primarily as an adverbial modifier, describing the manner in which an action is performed or a statement is made. It typically indicates that something is said or done while laughing or with a tone of amusement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in laughter" serves as an adverbial modifier, adding depth and nuance to descriptions by indicating a humorous or light-hearted manner. Ludwig AI confirms that this prepositional phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used, with the majority of examples found in News & Media sources. While versatile, it's essential to ensure that the usage aligns with the context to maintain clarity and avoid misinterpretation. Employing "in laughter" judiciously can enrich your writing and effectively convey the emotional tone of a situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

amidst laughter

Suggests laughter happening concurrently with something else, emphasizing the surrounding atmosphere.

with hilarity

Emphasizes the extreme amusement and boisterous laughter involved.

to much laughter

Highlights the reaction of an audience finding something very amusing.

to general amusement

Focuses on how an action or statement is received by a group of people who find it funny.

with merriment

Implies joyful, lively, and cheerful activity, often accompanied by laughter.

with amusement

Focuses on the feeling of amusement, which may or may not be expressed with overt laughter.

with a guffaw

Describes a loud, unrestrained burst of laughter.

amidst the chuckles

Suggests a setting filled with quiet or suppressed laughter.

in jest

Indicates something said or done playfully, often intended to provoke laughter.

in high spirits

Suggests a joyful and cheerful state, which may manifest in laughter.

FAQs

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

You can use "in laughter" to describe the manner in which someone speaks or acts while laughing, indicating a light-hearted or humorous tone. For example, "She dismissed the idea "in laughter", suggesting it was absurd".

What are some alternatives to "in laughter"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "amidst laughter", "with amusement", or "with hilarity" to convey a similar sense of mirth or amusement.

Is it always appropriate to use "in laughter"?

No, "in laughter" is most appropriate when describing situations that are genuinely funny or light-hearted. Avoid using it in serious or somber contexts where laughter would be inappropriate.

What's the difference between "in laughter" and "with a laugh"?

"In laughter" describes the manner or tone while someone is laughing, whereas "with a laugh" simply indicates that laughter occurred alongside the action. For example, "He told the story "in laughter"" implies he was laughing as he spoke, while "He told the story with a laugh" just means he laughed at some point during the story.