when I was crying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when I was crying" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a past moment or experience related to crying, often to provide context for an emotion or event. Example: "I remember the day clearly, especially when I was crying over the loss of my childhood pet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Remember when I was crying?

The New Yorker

"She never cried, all through the sickness, even when I was crying," Ms. Brown said.

The New York Times

"But when I was crying every day, I had to make a change.

The New York Times - Arts

Mrs. Anderson added: "There were times when I was crying and upset and overwhelmed.

The New York Times

A bit later, in the shower, Simon calls out to me, I was a ten in sadness when I was crying, Mommy, but now I am a six.

The New Yorker

"I was very happy when I was crying after the match," Nadal said as he sat next to the Coupe des Mousquetaires, where his name will be etched on the base for a fifth time.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

"My parents don't have the funds to drive to Oberlin when I'm crying and ready to self-harm.

The New Yorker

Written by Goffin with Phil Spector protege Russ Titelman, it was direct ("He holds me when I'm crying to show me it's alright"), simplicity itself and sung tearfully by the Cookies Margaret Rosss.

The Guardian - Music

My answer to How are you? is Fine, except when I'm crying.

Huffington Post

Do not interrupt when I am crying, I continued, having rashed the wet upon my cysted palms into Morse code.

Vice

When he asked why I was crying, I said, "Because Jesus died".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when I was crying" to provide emotional context or describe a specific moment in the past. It helps connect feelings with events, creating a stronger narrative.

Common error

Don't rely solely on phrases like "when I was crying" to convey emotion. Balance emotional descriptions with actions and dialogue to create a more compelling and nuanced portrayal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when I was crying" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying the main clause of a sentence by indicating when something occurred. Ludwig's examples show it providing temporal context.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Huffington Post

21%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Independent

6%

Global Health Action

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "when I was crying" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adverbial clause of time, frequently found in news, media and informal contexts to provide temporal and emotional context. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is appropriate for use in written English. It is effective for connecting emotions with events, enhancing narrative depth. When writing, ensure balance and avoid overuse of emotional descriptions. Alternatives include "during my weeping", "as I wept", or "while I sobbed depending on context".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as I wept

Conveys the same timing but uses a more literary and concise verb form.

during my weeping

Replaces the phrase with a more formal and slightly distanced expression, focusing on the act of weeping.

while I sobbed

Specifies a particular form of crying (sobbing), adding emotional intensity.

in the midst of my crying

Indicates being actively engaged in crying, highlighting the ongoing nature of the emotional state.

in my tears

Captures a similar emotional state during a period of sadness, but more poetic.

as tears flowed

A more descriptive and evocative way of saying 'when I was crying', focusing on the tears themselves.

at the time of my tears

Focuses on the specific moment of crying as a reference point.

while shedding tears

Emphasizes the physical act of shedding tears during a particular time.

during the crying spell

Emphasizes the episode of crying as a distinct event or period of time.

when tears streamed down my face

Provides a vivid image of crying, emphasizing the physical manifestation of tears.

FAQs

How can I use "when I was crying" in a sentence?

This phrase introduces a clause that provides context about a past moment of sadness. For example, "I remember the day clearly, especially "when I was crying" over the loss of my childhood pet."

What are some alternatives to "when I was crying"?

You can use alternatives like "during my tears", "as I wept", or "while I sobbed depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "when I was crying"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. Starting a sentence with ""when I was crying"" creates a dependent clause that sets the stage for the main clause, providing temporal context.

What's the difference between "when I cried" and "when I was crying"?

"When I cried" refers to a single instance of crying, while ""when I was crying"" implies a more prolonged period or repeated instances of crying.