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He had cried vs He kept crying

Both phrases are correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. 'He had cried' indicates that the crying occurred at a specific point in the past, while 'he kept crying' suggests a continuous or repeated action in the past. The choice between the two depends on the context and the specific nuance the speaker wants to convey.

Last updated: March 31, 2024

He had cried

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate that crying occurred at a specific point in the past.

This phrase is used to describe an action of crying that happened at a specific time in the past. It is often used in storytelling or recounting events.

Examples:

  • He had cried when he heard the news.
  • By the time she arrived, he had cried himself to sleep.
  • He had cried until 5:00.
  • But he cried someone had to die.
  • Then I understood why Grandpa had cried like that.
  • Those poor young blokes had cried out in fear, no one was listening to them.
  • We tried talking him out of it, but he cried and cried, so we thought we'd bring him in, see if you thought he had what it takes.
  • We tried talking him out of it, but he cried and cried, so we thought we'd bring him in, see if you thought he had what it takes.
  • I've cried and cried and cried...
  • He cried and cried and cried.
  • If the baby had cried, what then?
  • I was better after I had cried, than before... more sorry, more aware of my own ingratitude, more gentle.
  • I cried more than you have ever cried in your whole life.
  • In phase depression, she cried.
  • They both cried after hearing the tragic news.
  • Your mother cried her last night here.
  • The audience cried when Marilyn died.
  • He only cried when you left.
  • He cried and ate half the samples.
  • The dear Countess cried and cried.
  • He cried, and I cried...
  • You cried and cried, but I was right.

Alternatives:

  • he had been crying
  • he cried
  • he was crying
  • he had shed tears
  • he had wept

He kept crying

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate a continuous or repeated action of crying in the past.

This phrase is used to describe a situation where someone continued to cry over a period of time in the past. It implies a sense of duration or repetition.

Examples:

  • He kept crying throughout the night.
  • She kept crying every time she thought about the accident.
  • He kept crying: I'm cold.
  • He kept crying till I sent him bus money.
  • I kept crying and calling for him because my right leg was hurting.
  • Whether not recognizing me or ignoring me, she just kept crying.
  • When I came out there was a woman working on that hill who kept crying.
  • She kept crying on that hill.
  • So I kept crying and she kept holding me tight.
  • I'm so sorry I made you work on Christmas... but the kids kept crying for Brown Mommy.
  • She kept crying and I could take it.
  • Yes, but she kept crying!
  • No wonder that little girl kept crying and saying,
  • And kept crying until I felt empty.
  • They carried her down the hall... and... the white-haired man just kept crying.
  • When she first started drinking, she kept crying and asking what she was supposed to do.
  • It became less and less loud... but it kept crying for a very long time.
  • I know I got the swaddling thing down, but the baby kept on crying.
  • You kept stirring and crying out.
  • You held my hand so tightly, it was the only thing that kept me from crying.
  • (CRYING) He kept asking for it back.
  • He kept talking about an attack.

Alternatives:

  • he was crying continuously
  • he continued to cry
  • he cried repeatedly
  • he was in tears
  • he sobbed

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