wailed uncontrollably

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wailed uncontrollably" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is crying or expressing grief in a loud and uncontrolled manner. Example: "After hearing the tragic news, she wailed uncontrollably, unable to contain her sorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

He was not allowed to change out of his pajamas, even as his mother wailed uncontrollably and his father shouted that a great injustice was taking place.

The New Yorker

Outside of the central hospital one recent morning, a woman whose younger brother had just died of yellow fever wailed uncontrollably.

The Washington Post

At the end of the service, after a lone bugler atop the McFaul's prow blew taps, the mother of Seaman Timothy L. Gauna, another of those still missing, wailed uncontrollably, "Oh, Timothy".

The New York Times

Serignese, who had been waiting for justice for nearly 40 years, collapsed in tears on my left, and Bernard, who had been waiting 25 years for this verdict, wailed uncontrollably on my right and hit her head on the bench in front of us.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Wailing uncontrollably, several women, their eyes a brilliant red from sobbing, tied small pieces of colored cloth to the mesh and made wishes that they hope the Ayatollah will fulfill from his perch in heaven.

The New York Times

Klaxons wailed.

The New York Times

Sirens wailed.

The New York Times - Sports

Bagpipes wailed.

The Washington Post

She wailed.

The New York Times - Arts

"A hearse!" he wailed.

The New York Times

Sirens wailed anew.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wailed uncontrollably" to depict a scene of raw, unfiltered grief or intense emotional distress, particularly when emphasizing the audible expression of sorrow.

Common error

Avoid using "wailed uncontrollably" in contexts that do not warrant such intense emotion; it can sound melodramatic or insincere if the situation calls for a more subdued reaction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wailed uncontrollably" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "wailed" is the main verb indicating an action, and "uncontrollably" is an adverb modifying the verb to describe how the action is performed. Ludwig AI identifies the phrase as grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wailed uncontrollably" is a grammatically sound phrase used to depict extreme emotional distress, particularly grief or sorrow. According to Ludwig AI, it is considered correct and appears primarily in journalistic contexts to add emotive intensity to a narrative. While its usage isn't frequent, it effectively conveys a sense of overwhelming sadness. For alternatives, consider phrases like "sobbed inconsolably" or "cried hysterically", depending on the desired nuance. Be mindful to employ the phrase in appropriate situations to avoid exaggeration or melodrama.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sobbed inconsolably

Replaces "wailed" with "sobbed" and "uncontrollably" with "inconsolably", focusing on the sound of crying rather than a loud lament.

cried hysterically

Substitutes "wailed" with "cried" and "uncontrollably" with "hysterically", emphasizing the emotional state alongside the crying.

wept without restraint

Replaces "wailed" with "wept" and "uncontrollably" with "without restraint", highlighting the lack of emotional control.

lamented deeply

Uses "lamented" to replace "wailed uncontrollably", focusing on expressing sorrow or grief profoundly.

howled in despair

Replaces "wailed uncontrollably" with "howled in despair", conveying a sense of anguish and hopelessness.

broke down sobbing

Uses a phrasal verb to indicate the sudden onset of uncontrolled sobbing.

gave way to uncontrollable tears

Emphasizes the surrender to intense sadness through tears.

cried their heart out

An idiomatic expression indicating intense and unrestrained crying.

burst into tears

Highlights the sudden and forceful onset of crying.

cried buckets

An informal way of saying someone cried a lot.

FAQs

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

Use "wailed uncontrollably" to describe someone expressing extreme grief or sorrow audibly and without restraint. For example: "After hearing the news, she wailed uncontrollably."

What are some alternatives to "wailed uncontrollably"?

You can use alternatives like "sobbed inconsolably", "cried hysterically", or "wept without restraint" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean to "wail uncontrollably"?

To "wail uncontrollably" means to cry out or lament loudly and without being able to stop, usually due to extreme sadness, grief, or pain.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "wailed uncontrollably"?

It's appropriate when describing a scene where someone is experiencing overwhelming grief or sorrow and is expressing it audibly and without restraint. Avoid using it in less intense situations where a more subdued expression of sadness is more fitting.