When writing a story, it’s essential to effectively convey emotions and actions to the readers. One such emotion is crying, which can add depth and realism to your characters. In this guide, we will explore formal and informal ways to describe and express that a character is crying. Whether you are writing a novel, play, or screenplay, these tips and examples will help you create impactful and emotionally resonant scenes.
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Formal Ways to Say a Character is Crying
When writing in a formal style, it is important to use more sophisticated language and descriptions. Here are several formal ways to indicate that a character is crying:
- Tears streaming down their face: The character’s face is marked with visible streams of tears that flow down their cheeks.
- Overwhelmed by sorrow: The character is consumed by deep sadness, with tears flowing uncontrollably.
- Eyes welling up with tears: The character’s eyes start filling with tears, ready to spill over, but they may or may not actually cry.
- Choked voice: The character’s voice becomes strained and shaky due to crying.
- Sobbing uncontrollably: The character is unable to control their crying and lets out loud, heart-wrenching sobs.
It is important to note that formal expressions often rely on more descriptive and poetic language to convey emotions. Experiment with metaphors or vivid imagery to create a rich emotional experience for your readers. However, avoid excessive use of flowery language, as it can become distracting or pretentious.
Informal Ways to Say a Character is Crying
When writing informally, you can use a more casual tone and language to portray emotions. Here are several informal ways to show that a character is crying:
- Bawling their eyes out: The character is crying loudly and uncontrollably.
- Tears rolling down their cheeks: Tears are visibly rolling down the character’s face.
- Sniffling and wiping away tears: The character sniffs and uses their hand or a tissue to wipe away tears.
- Choked up: The character’s voice becomes choked or strained due to crying.
- On the verge of tears: The character is about to cry but is holding back the tears.
By using more straightforward and colloquial expressions, informal writing can create a sense of closeness between the readers and the characters. However, be cautious not to overuse informal language, as it may seem inappropriate in certain settings or genres.
