What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
crying
Example
She couldn't help but start crying when she heard the news. [crying: present participle]
Example
The sound of crying echoed through the room. [crying: noun]
weeping
Example
She was weeping uncontrollably at the funeral. [weeping: present participle]
Example
The weeping of the woman could be heard from across the room. [weeping: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Crying is more commonly used than weeping in everyday language, as it covers a wider range of emotions and situations. Weeping is more formal and literary, and is often used in more specific contexts, such as literature or poetry.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between crying and weeping?
Weeping is generally considered more formal or literary than crying, which is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
