while crying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "while crying" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action that occurs simultaneously with crying, often to convey emotion or context. Example: "She spoke softly while crying, her voice trembling with sadness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Instead, he was put in a truck with other prisoners and driven to a secluded spot a few miles from his home, where he was dragged, almost naked and with his hands tied, along a path to the river, all the while crying and pleading for mercy.

The Guardian - Film

You shouldn't feel weak or silly while crying.

WikiHow

While crying.

The New York Times - Magazine

"It was a lapse of judgment," Catalano said while crying.

The New York Times - Sports

After copulation the pair circle high overhead and chase each other while crying shrilly.

Encyclopedia Britannica

@Academic Pain Gifs to make you laugh on the outside (while crying on the inside).

The Guardian

Another man confided while crying, "I don't feel like a man any more".

The New Yorker

While crying and driving, I consoled myself by thinking that this was probably pretty damn cinematic.

The New York Times

In 2003, Dieudonné appeared on French TV dressed as an orthodox Jew and performed the Nazi salute while crying, "Israeheil".

The New Yorker

"I truly believe that without Michael's help my brother would not be here today," said Shannon Hayden, while crying.

The New York Times

Make sure you're getting enough Vitamin B and maybe stop reading racist online comments while crying like it's your job.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "while crying" to vividly depict a character's emotional state during a specific action, adding depth and empathy to your narrative.

Common error

Avoid repetitive use of "while crying" in close proximity. Vary your descriptions of emotional distress by using synonyms like "sobbing", "weeping", or describing physical manifestations of sadness to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "while crying" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by indicating the time or circumstance under which the action occurs. It provides context, describing the emotional state concurrent with the action. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Wiki

14%

Huffington Post

14%

Less common in

Vice

9%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

0.01%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "while crying" is a grammatically sound and versatile adverbial phrase used to describe an action performed simultaneously with the act of crying. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is generally correct. It commonly appears in news, media, and personal narratives. While generally neutral in register, it serves to inject an emotional dimension into descriptions, allowing writers to portray characters with depth and vulnerability. To avoid overuse, consider alternative expressions like "in tears" or "sobbing". Ludwig AI's analysis validates its proper usage and utility in a variety of contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

crying, all the while

Emphasizes the continuous nature of the crying.

as they wept

Replaces "while crying" with a more formal and literary term for crying.

in tears

Focuses on the state of being tearful during the action.

amidst tears

Indicates the action happens in the middle of a crying episode.

sobbing while

Specifies a more intense form of crying.

through tears

Suggests the action is performed despite the tears.

weeping as

Uses a formal term for crying to indicate simultaneous action.

with tears streaming down

Visually describes the crying and indicates its intensity.

tearfully

Adverb that describes performing an action with tears.

as tears flowed

Depicts tears as the main attribute and cause of action.

FAQs

How can I use "while crying" in a sentence?

You can use "while crying" to describe an action that occurs simultaneously with the act of crying. For example, "She confessed her feelings "while crying"."

What are some alternatives to "while crying"?

Alternatives include "as they wept", "in tears", or "through tears", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "while crying"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "While" functions as a subordinating conjunction, connecting the act of crying to another action happening simultaneously.

How does "while crying" differ from "because of crying"?

"While crying" indicates simultaneous action, whereas "because of crying" implies a cause-and-effect relationship. For example, "She couldn't see "because of crying"" means her vision was obscured by tears.