what he wails

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what he wails" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the specific lamentations or cries of a person, often in a poetic or dramatic context. Example: "In the quiet of the night, I could hear what he wails, echoing through the empty streets."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"What?" he wails.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

He flew more than 6,000 hours, half in fighter aircraft, and helped oversee no-fly zones in Iraq and the Adriatic, and he's currently mystified by what he calls the "wailing and gnashing of teeth" about imposing such a zone on Libya.

The New York Times

NEW YORK -- Early during the magnificent tribute to folk music at Town Hall while much of America was learning the fate of "Breaking Bad's" Walter White, actor John Goodman welcomed the capacity crowd to a night of reckoning devoted to what he called "weeping and wailing and sowing and reaping".

Los Angeles Times

"Poor me!" he wails.

The New York Times - Books

"Dinner means death!" he wails.

The New Yorker

"We come off like amateurs," he wails.

The New York Times - Sports

"A friend never leave Compton for profit," he wails.

The New Yorker

He wails: "America has been invaded by Wal-Martians.

Forbes

What would he do, he wailed, without his blasted subway ride?

The New York Times

He's done what he'd always said he'd do," his wife wailed, when she heard what had happened.

The New Yorker

As the Rock was practicing his recitation on the convention floor ("Can you s-m-e-l-l what the Rock is cooking?" he wailed into the microphone, flexing his shoulders so the seams on his white dinner jacket swelled), L. Brent Bozell, the president of the Parents Television Council, was steaming.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what he wails" when you want to emphasize the specific content or message being conveyed through someone's sorrowful cries, creating a vivid image for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "what he wails" in contexts where a simple statement or declaration is made, as it is specifically suited to situations involving grief, sorrow, or intense emotion. Ensure the context justifies the use of such a dramatic expression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what he wails" functions as a noun clause, acting as the object of a verb or a subject in a sentence. It specifically refers to the content of someone's sorrowful cries or lamentations. As shown by Ludwig, it captures the emotional outpouring expressed through wailing.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "what he wails" is a grammatically sound noun clause used to describe the content of someone's sorrowful cries. Although rare in overall usage, as confirmed by Ludwig, it finds its primary context in news and media, offering a means to emphasize the emotional substance behind a person's expression of grief. While not typically suited for formal or scientific contexts, its purpose lies in evoking empathy and highlighting the specific message conveyed during a moment of intense sorrow. Ludwig AI confirms the validity and offers various alternatives like "what he laments" and "what he cries out" to suit different contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what he laments

Replaces "wails" with "laments", offering a more formal and somber tone.

what he cries out

Substitutes "wails" with "cries out", emphasizing the vocal projection of the emotion.

the content of his wails

Rephrases to highlight "content", focusing on the message more than the act of wailing.

the substance of his lament

Uses more formal vocabulary like "substance" and "lament" to describe the expression of grief.

the words he wails

Focuses specifically on the "words" used in the wailing, rather than the act itself.

what he moans

Replaces "wails" with "moans", suggesting a lower, more subdued expression of pain.

what he groans

Substitutes "wails" with "groans", implying a deeper, often physical, suffering.

his lamentations

Transforms the phrase into a noun, referring to the act of lamenting in general.

his cries of despair

Emphasizes the "despair" behind the cries, adding an emotional layer.

the gist of his wailing

Highlights the overall meaning or "gist" conveyed through the wailing.

FAQs

How can I use "what he wails" in a sentence?

Use "what he wails" to describe the specific words, sentiments, or message conveyed through someone's sorrowful cries. For example: "The audience was moved by what he wails about loss and longing."

What are some alternatives to "what he wails"?

You can use alternatives like "what he laments", "what he cries out", or "the content of his wails" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "what he wails" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "what he wails" might be more suited for creative or descriptive writing where emotional impact is desired. In formal contexts, consider more neutral alternatives that convey the message without the intense emotional connotation.

What is the difference between "what he wails" and "what he says"?

"What he says" is a neutral way to refer to someone's spoken words. "What he wails", on the other hand, implies that the person is expressing intense sorrow or grief while speaking. The choice depends on the emotional context you wish to convey.