she wept

USAGE SUMMARY

"she wept" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate an emotion or behavior of someone crying, usually due to sadness or sorrow. For example: "The news of her mother's death was too much for her to handle, and she wept uncontrollably."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She wept.

The New Yorker

She wept, too.

The New York Times

Then she wept.

The New York Times

She wept and wailed.

The New York Times

And when he died she wept, how she wept.

The New Yorker

She wept while she spoke.

The New York Times

She wept when he died.

The New Yorker

Sometimes she wept.

The New York Times - Arts

At the microphone, she wept.

The New Yorker

She wept as she talked.

The New York Times

"You hate it," she wept.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "she wept" to convey a sense of sorrow, grief, or intense emotion. It's a concise and impactful way to describe someone crying, particularly in narrative writing.

Common error

Avoid using "she wept" excessively in direct dialogue. Instead, vary your descriptions with phrases like "her voice trembled" or "tears welled in her eyes" to create a more nuanced portrayal of emotion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she wept" functions as a narrative device to convey the emotional state of a female subject. It succinctly communicates sadness, grief, or any intense emotion leading to tears. As Ludwig AI states, it's a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "she wept" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to depict a woman crying, often due to intense sadness or grief. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it's a valid and effective way to describe this emotional state. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, lending itself to both descriptive and narrative writing. While "wept" suggests a deeper sorrow than simply "cried", overuse in dialogue should be avoided for more nuanced descriptions. Ultimately, "she wept" is a powerful and concise way to convey emotional depth in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she was weeping

A more formal and descriptive alternative to 'she wept'.

she began to cry

A simple and direct way to state that she started crying.

she shed tears

Emphasizes the physical act of crying with slightly more formal language.

she was in tears

Highlights the emotional state of being tearful.

tears streamed down her face

Focuses on the visual image of tears flowing, adding a descriptive element.

she cried bitterly

Adds intensity to the act of crying, suggesting deep sorrow.

she broke down in tears

Implies a sudden and overwhelming emotional release.

she sobbed uncontrollably

Focuses on the physical manifestation of intense crying with gasping sounds.

her eyes filled with tears

Describes the onset of crying, emphasizing the emotional trigger.

she teared up

A more subtle expression, indicating the beginning of crying.

FAQs

How can I use "she wept" in a sentence?

You can use "she wept" to describe a character's emotional reaction, such as, "Upon hearing the news, "she wept" openly".

What are some alternatives to "she wept"?

Alternatives include "she cried", "she shed tears", or "she was in tears". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "she wept" formal or informal?

"She wept" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal way of saying someone cried. It's appropriate for most writing contexts.

What's the difference between "she wept" and "she cried"?

While both describe someone crying, "she wept" can suggest a deeper, more profound sorrow than "she cried". "Wept" often implies a more intense or prolonged period of crying.