sobbing uncontrollably

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sobbing uncontrollably" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is crying in a way that is intense and difficult to control, often due to strong emotions. Example: "After hearing the news, she was left sobbing uncontrollably in the corner of the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She was sobbing uncontrollably.

The Guardian - Tech

Then, she just started sobbing uncontrollably".

The New York Times

5 February: Anna rang, sobbing uncontrollably.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

One man behind me screamed and collapsed, sobbing uncontrollably.

The New Yorker

She had to keep pulling over to stop, sobbing uncontrollably.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Her eyes spoke to you," she said, sobbing uncontrollably.

The New York Times

At 4pm, Gordon's girlfriend, purified with white ochre, is led to the graveside, sobbing uncontrollably.

The Guardian

He buried his head in his arms and began sobbing uncontrollably.

The New York Times

By the time the doctor arrived to confirm it, Jean was sobbing uncontrollably.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But even then, he found himself sobbing uncontrollably from time to time.

The New York Times

She was soon on her knees, hands covering her face, sobbing uncontrollably.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sobbing uncontrollably" to depict intense grief, despair, or overwhelming emotion where the individual has lost control of their crying.

Common error

While appropriate for conveying strong emotion, using "sobbing uncontrollably" repeatedly can appear melodramatic or unprofessional in formal writing. Opt for more restrained language when subtlety is required.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sobbing uncontrollably" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe the manner in which someone is crying. Ludwig shows examples where it vividly illustrates a state of intense emotional distress.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

94%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sobbing uncontrollably" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone crying with great intensity and a lack of control. As confirmed by Ludwig, it frequently appears in news and media to depict strong emotional reactions. While generally neutral in register, it's best used when conveying intense grief, despair, or overwhelming emotions. Alternatives such as "weeping inconsolably" or "crying hysterically" offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances. When using the phrase, avoid overuse in formal writing to maintain a professional tone. Ludwig's examples provide valuable context on how to effectively employ "sobbing uncontrollably" in various writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

weeping inconsolably

Replaces "sobbing" with "weeping" and "uncontrollably" with "inconsolably", emphasizing the inability to be comforted.

crying hysterically

Substitutes "sobbing" with "crying" and "uncontrollably" with "hysterically", suggesting a more agitated and emotional state.

bursting into tears

Replaces the entire phrase with a more dynamic expression indicating a sudden onset of crying.

breaking down in tears

Similar to "bursting into tears", but implies a loss of emotional control leading to crying.

crying one's eyes out

An idiomatic expression meaning to cry intensely for a prolonged period.

bawling one's eyes out

Stronger and more informal version of 'crying one's eyes out'.

dissolving into tears

A metaphorical expression indicating a gradual surrender to crying.

losing it emotionally

A colloquial term for losing control of one's emotions, resulting in crying.

weeping copiously

Emphasizes the large amount of tears shed while crying.

utterly distraught

Focuses on emotional distress, where crying is implied as a symptom of a person's state.

FAQs

How can I use "sobbing uncontrollably" in a sentence?

You can use "sobbing uncontrollably" to describe someone experiencing a strong emotional response, such as, "After hearing the news, she was "sobbing uncontrollably"."

What are some alternatives to "sobbing uncontrollably"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "weeping inconsolably", "crying hysterically", or "bursting into tears".

Is it more appropriate to say "crying uncontrollably" or "sobbing uncontrollably"?

"Sobbing" implies a more intense and convulsive form of crying compared to just "crying". "Sobbing uncontrollably" suggests a greater loss of emotional control.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "sobbing uncontrollably" in writing?

Use "sobbing uncontrollably" when you want to emphasize the intensity and lack of control in someone's crying, often due to extreme sadness, grief, or distress.