lots of crying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lots of crying" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there is a significant amount of crying, often in emotional contexts. Example: "After the movie ended, there was lots of crying among the audience, as the story was incredibly touching."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

There was lots of crying but I found it almost impossible to join in.

The Guardian - Books

And I'll mention here only because it's been a continuing theme in our course: we've seen lots of crying guys over the semester.

Yale University

As I don't have a computing degree I've learnt pretty much everything myself, which has involved lots of crying at night.

The Guardian

But pop bands aren't supposed to last, and this surprisingly frank documentary focuses on what happens when an emotionally fractured boy band grows up and deals with its past (answer: lots of crying and man-hugging).

The Guardian - Film

Highlights have already included the old lady confused by the whereabouts of her gay host's wife, the bloke failing to pass off someone's swish pad as his own (he couldn't work the oven), the contestant who got a caterer to handle everything, lots of crying and Ulrika Jonsson (on the recent celebrity special).

The Guardian

Lots and lots of crying.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

There was a lot of crying.

The Guardian - Film

She did a lot of crying.

The New York Times - Magazine

A lot of crying and hugging.

The New York Times

"A lot of crying, a lot of shock".

The New York Times

He adds, "It was a lot of crying".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lots of crying" when you want to emphasize the quantity of tears or the frequency of crying episodes in a particular situation. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While generally acceptable, avoid overusing "lots of crying" in highly formal or academic writing where more precise or nuanced language might be preferred. Consider alternatives like "a significant amount of weeping" or "considerable emotional distress" in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lots of crying" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "lots" acts as a determiner modifying the noun "crying". Ludwig indicates the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It often appears as a descriptive element within a sentence.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

10%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lots of crying" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe situations involving significant emotional distress. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While generally considered informal, it's widely accepted across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. For more formal settings, alternatives like "a great deal of weeping" or "considerable crying" may be more appropriate. The phrase serves to emphasize the intensity or frequency of crying, painting a vivid picture of sadness or grief.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

much weeping

A simpler, more direct alternative, using "much" instead of "lots".

a great deal of weeping

Replaces "crying" with a more formal synonym, "weeping", and "lots" with "a great deal", indicating a high quantity.

considerable crying

Replaces "lots" with "considerable" to convey a substantial amount of crying.

plenty of tears

Uses "plenty" instead of "lots" to indicate abundance, and "tears" instead of "crying", focusing on the physical manifestation of sorrow.

excessive weeping

Emphasizes the over-the-top or unrestrained nature of crying/weeping.

copious tears

Employs a more formal vocabulary to emphasize the quantity of tears.

profuse crying

Similar to "copious tears", using "profuse" to highlight the abundance of crying.

heavy sobbing

Focuses on the audible aspect of crying, highlighting the intensity of the emotional distress.

a flood of tears

This is a more figurative option; it paints an image of tears flowing unrestrained.

torrent of tears

Similar to 'a flood of tears' but implies even more force and volume.

FAQs

How can I use "lots of crying" in a sentence?

You can use "lots of crying" to describe situations with significant emotional distress. For example: "After the sad movie, there was lots of crying in the theater." It's suitable for both spoken and written contexts.

What are some alternatives to "lots of crying"?

Alternatives include "a great deal of weeping", "plenty of tears", or "much weeping", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is "lots of crying" considered formal or informal?

"Lots of crying" is generally considered informal but acceptable in many contexts. For more formal writing, consider using phrases like "considerable crying" or "profuse crying".

What's the difference between "lots of crying" and "a lot of crying"?

The phrases "lots of crying" and "a lot of crying" are largely interchangeable and carry the same meaning. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference, as both are grammatically correct and commonly used.