in stitches

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in stitches" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone is laughing or has found something amusing. Example: The comedian had the audience in stitches with his witty jokes.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We were in stitches.

The Guardian - Film

"Puts in stitches" is SEWS.

The New York Times

He was in stitches now.

The New Yorker

That had them in stitches.

The New Yorker

– to have patients in stitches.

The Guardian

Physical fighting, once resulting in stitches.

The New York Times

The bridge sequence left me in stitches.

The Guardian - Film

She had us all in stitches".

The New Yorker

Also in stitches, here and there.

The New York Times

The Count, however, had me in stitches.

The Guardian

It was us she left in stitches.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in stitches" to describe a situation where someone is laughing uncontrollably, indicating a high level of amusement. It's best used when the laughter is a direct result of something humorous.

Common error

Avoid using "in stitches" for mild amusement. This phrase implies a strong, almost uncontrollable level of laughter; reserve it for genuinely hilarious situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in stitches" functions as an idiomatic expression used to describe someone experiencing intense or uncontrollable laughter. It's often used after a humorous event or joke to indicate the audience's reaction. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

9%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in stitches" is an idiom used to describe someone laughing uncontrollably, implying a high level of amusement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. While suitable for various contexts, it's most commonly found in News & Media. For formal contexts, consider more neutral alternatives, but otherwise, use it to effectively convey intense laughter. With a high expert rating and frequent occurrences, "in stitches" remains a vivid and widely understood expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

laughing hysterically

Focuses on the uncontrollable nature of the laughter, emphasizing intensity more than the cause.

rolling in the aisles

Implies a large audience laughing uncontrollably, often at a performance.

bursting with laughter

Highlights the sudden and explosive nature of the laughter.

convulsed with laughter

Emphasizes the physical effect of extreme laughter on the body.

beside oneself with laughter

Suggests being overwhelmed by amusement, almost to the point of losing control.

cracking up

A more casual way of saying someone is laughing a lot or starting to laugh.

highly amused

A more understated expression of finding something very funny.

tickled pink

An idiomatic way of saying someone is greatly pleased or amused.

dying of laughter

Hyperbolic expression describing extreme amusement.

reduced to tears of laughter

Focuses on laughter being so intense it causes tears to form.

FAQs

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

You can use "in stitches" to describe someone laughing uncontrollably. For example, "The comedian had the audience "in stitches" with his observational humor."

What does "in stitches" mean?

"In stitches" is an idiom meaning someone is laughing so hard they are gasping for breath, as if their sides are splitting. It implies a very high degree of amusement.

What are some synonyms for "in stitches"?

Alternatives to "in stitches" include phrases like "laughing hysterically", "rolling in the aisles", or "bursting with laughter", each with slightly different nuances.

Is it appropriate to use "in stitches" in formal writing?

While "in stitches" is widely understood, it's generally more suited to informal or conversational contexts. For formal writing, consider more neutral alternatives like "highly amused" or "found it very funny".