sobbing bitterly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sobbing bitterly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a character showing intense sorrow or grief, for example: "The little girl's shoulders shook as she stood in the rain, sobbing bitterly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"I am sorry to add that she was sobbing bitterly".

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Codreanu received the sentence calmly, but his mother, his sister and his wife, who were the only audience at that late hour, sobbed bitterly.

The New York Times

Tayaoniang ("Stepping and Swaying Woman") was a farcical domestic play in which a sobbing wife bitterly complained about her brutal husband, who then appeared and, singing and dancing, abused his wife even more.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The book ends a ­quarter-century later inside Nixon's own Oval Office, with the president bitterly sobbing at the news of Ike's death, knowing that the acceptance he always craved would never come.

The New York Times - Books

The sobbing.

The New Yorker

Just sobbing.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He hears Orrin sobbing.

The New Yorker

She was sobbing.

The New York Times

I broke down sobbing.

The New York Times

He was sobbing.

The New York Times - Magazine

She called Dreher, sobbing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character's emotional state, "sobbing bitterly" is a potent and concise way to convey deep sorrow or grief. Use it when you want to emphasize the intensity and unrestrained nature of their crying.

Common error

While "sobbing bitterly" is effective, relying too heavily on intensifiers like "bitterly" can weaken your writing over time. Vary your descriptions of emotional states by focusing on the causes and manifestations of the grief, rather than simply amplifying the sobbing itself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sobbing bitterly" functions as a vivid descriptor, modifying a verb to indicate the manner in which someone is crying. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound and usable phrase. It adds emotional depth and intensity to the action of sobbing.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sobbing bitterly" is a grammatically correct and evocative way to describe intense sorrow or grief. As Ludwig AI points out, it's suitable for various writing contexts, particularly when aiming to convey a strong emotional impact. While relatively rare, its usage in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian affirms its validity. Consider alternatives like "weeping inconsolably" or "crying bitterly" to diversify your descriptive language, but "sobbing bitterly" remains a potent choice when unrestrained emotion is key.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

weeping inconsolably

This alternative replaces "sobbing" with "weeping" and "bitterly" with "inconsolably", conveying a similar sense of deep sadness.

sobbing with profound grief

This variation replaces "bitterly" with "profound grief", emphasizing the depth and seriousness of the sadness.

crying bitterly

This option substitutes "sobbing" with "crying", a more general term for expressing sorrow, while keeping "bitterly" to emphasize the intensity.

crying with deep sorrow

This option offers a simpler, more direct way to express the same sentiment, using "deep sorrow" to highlight the intensity of the emotion.

bawling one's eyes out

This is an idiomatic expression that amplifies the weeping to an exaggerated degree, conveying intense emotion.

shedding bitter tears

This phrase uses more figurative language, describing the tears themselves as "bitter", highlighting the pain behind them.

lamenting sorrowfully

This alternative replaces the physical act of sobbing with the expression of lament, focusing on the vocalization of grief.

grieving intensely

Here, the focus shifts to the overall feeling of grief, described as "intense", rather than the specific action of sobbing.

mourning desolately

Similar to grieving intensely, this option emphasizes the feeling of mourning with the strong adjective "desolately."

utterly heartbroken and weeping

This longer phrase breaks down the emotion into "utterly heartbroken" and combines it with the act of "weeping" to express deep sorrow.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "sobbing bitterly" in a sentence?

Use "sobbing bitterly" to depict intense sadness or grief in a character. For example, "She was "sobbing bitterly" after hearing the news."

What are some alternatives to "sobbing bitterly"?

You could use phrases such as "weeping inconsolably", "crying bitterly", or "bawling one's eyes out" to express similar emotions.

Is there a difference between "crying bitterly" and "sobbing bitterly"?

"Sobbing" implies a more convulsive and unrestrained form of crying compared to simply "crying". Therefore, ""sobbing bitterly"" suggests a deeper level of distress.

When is it appropriate to use "sobbing bitterly" in writing?

It's most appropriate to use "sobbing bitterly" when you want to vividly portray intense emotional distress, grief, or sorrow. Consider using it in dramatic or emotionally charged scenes.