laugh and cry

USAGE SUMMARY

"laugh and cry" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a range of emotions or reactions that someone may have in a given situation. For example: - She watched the movie and couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time. - The book was so moving that it made me both laugh and cry. - The play was a perfect blend of humor and tragedy, prompting the audience to laugh and cry throughout.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They laugh and cry.

The New Yorker

We laugh and cry together.

The Guardian

It will make you laugh and cry.

The Guardian - Books

Making you laugh and cry, feel.

The New York Times

She makes us laugh, and cry.

The Guardian - Books

You're gonna laugh and cry until the final curtain".

The New York Times

Expect to laugh and cry in equal parts.

Independent

"I create programming that makes people laugh and cry".

The New York Times - Sports

I love a book that makes me laugh and cry".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Laugh -- and cry.

Huffington Post

I want the audience to laugh and cry an emotional response.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "laugh and cry" to describe a situation or piece of media that evokes a strong emotional response, incorporating both happiness and sadness. It's effective for conveying depth and complexity in storytelling or personal anecdotes.

Common error

While "laugh and cry" is a vivid expression, avoid using it too frequently in your writing. Over-reliance can make your prose seem repetitive and less impactful. Consider using synonyms or more descriptive language to vary your descriptions of emotional experiences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "laugh and cry" functions as a compound verb phrase describing a simultaneous or alternating experience of joy and sorrow. It is often used to express a strong emotional connection to a story, performance, or event, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "laugh and cry" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression signifying a simultaneous or alternating experience of joy and sorrow. As confirmed by Ludwig, it effectively conveys strong emotional engagement and is frequently found in news and media, though acceptable in a range of writing styles. While a vivid expression, overusing it should be avoided for more varied and nuanced prose. When using alternatives, it's important to consider and express simultaneous emotions, as in the examples provided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be moved to tears and laughter

Focuses on the physical manifestation of emotions, specifically crying and laughing, as a response to something.

react with joy and sadness

Focuses on the reaction to a particular event, expressing both positive and negative emotions.

experience a mix of joy and sorrow

Emphasizes the simultaneous presence of happiness and sadness, focusing on the overall experience.

be touched and amused

Highlights the feelings of being moved emotionally and simultaneously entertained or humored.

feel conflicting emotions

Highlights the internal conflict between different emotional states, particularly joy and sadness.

run the gamut of emotions

Indicates a complete range of emotions, including happiness and sadness, but not limited to them.

go through a rollercoaster of emotions

Suggests a series of intense and rapidly changing emotions, including highs and lows.

have an emotional response

A broader term referring to any kind of emotional reaction, not necessarily involving both laughter and tears.

feel deeply

Focuses on the intensity of emotions experienced, without specifying the type of emotion.

express a wide range of feelings

Highlights the expression of multiple emotions, rather than the simultaneous experience of specific emotions.

FAQs

How can I use "laugh and cry" in a sentence?

You can use "laugh and cry" to describe a movie, book, or event that evokes strong emotions. For example, "The movie was so moving; it made me "laugh and cry"."

What is the difference between "laugh and cry" and "smile and cry"?

"Laugh and cry" suggests a more profound emotional experience encompassing both joy and sorrow, while "smile and cry" often implies bittersweet happiness or suppressed sadness.

What are some synonyms for "laugh and cry"?

Alternatives include "experience a mix of joy and sorrow", "be moved to tears and laughter", or "run the gamut of emotions", each carrying slightly different nuances.

Is it grammatically correct to say "laugh and cry"?

Yes, "laugh and cry" is grammatically correct and a commonly used expression to describe experiencing a range of emotions.