burst into

suddenly start producing something (tears, laughter, song, flames)

B2

What does "burst into sth" mean?

"Burst into" describes a sudden, uncontrolled shift into an emotional state, sound, or physical phenomenon. The key idea is spontaneity and force — whatever happens is not gradual or planned, but erupts without warning. It most commonly appears with nouns like tears, laughter, flames, song, and applause, capturing the moment when something breaks out all at once. What makes this phrasal verb distinctive is how vividly it conveys that sense of explosion — it would feel wrong, even contradictory, to use it for anything slow or deliberate. You'll encounter it equally in casual conversation, journalism, and literary writing, which makes it a versatile and high-frequency expression.

Examples

How to use it

subject + burst into + noun (no article)

The most common pattern, used when the noun is an uncountable or abstract concept — these collocations take no article.

The children burst into laughter when the teacher tripped over the projector cable.

subject + burst into + a + noun

Some collocations naturally take an indefinite article, particularly when the noun refers to a physical action or expression.

He read the punchline aloud and burst into a broad smile.

subject + burst into + fits/a fit of + noun

Used to add extra intensity or to frame the noun within a set phrase, often with laughter or giggles.

The two friends burst into fits of giggles every time someone said the word.

be about to / seem about to + burst into + noun

Used with verbs like 'seem' or 'be about to' in the infinitive to describe someone on the verge of a sudden emotional outburst.

She seemed about to burst into tears during the farewell speech, but held it together.

subject + burst into + noun (non-human subject)

Works naturally with non-human subjects — objects or places — especially when describing fire or sudden physical change.

The dry grass burst into flames almost instantly after the spark landed.

Common Collocations

burst into tearsburst into laughterburst into flamesburst into songburst into applauseburst into a smile

Common Mistakes

Using a gerund instead of a noun

'Burst into' must be followed by a noun, not a gerund (-ing form). That pattern belongs to 'burst out'. 'Burst into laughing' and 'burst out laughter' are both incorrect.

✗ She burst into crying when she heard the news.
✓ She burst into tears when she heard the news. / She burst out crying when she heard the news.
Adding an article where none is needed

Most core collocations — tears, laughter, flames, song, applause — take no article. Adding 'the' or 'a' with these nouns sounds unnatural.

✗ The crowd burst into an applause.
✓ The crowd burst into applause.
Using the present continuous

'Burst into' implies an instantaneous event, so the present continuous sounds odd in most contexts. Use the simple past or simple present for narrative instead.

✗ She is bursting into tears every time she watches that film.
✓ She bursts into tears every time she watches that film.

Usage

This phrasal verb is neutral in register and works in both speaking and writing. The noun after 'into' usually has no article (tears, flames, song), but some expressions need 'a': 'burst into a smile', 'burst into a run'.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'burst into' always mean the same thing? I've seen it used differently.

No — 'burst into' has two distinct uses. In this sense, it describes a sudden emotional, vocal, or physical state, as in 'burst into laughter' or 'burst into flames'. In a different sense, it means to enter a place suddenly and forcibly, as in 'she burst into the room'. Context makes it easy to tell them apart: if the noun after 'into' is a place, it's the entry sense; if it's an emotion, sound, or phenomenon, it's this one.

Can 'burst into' be used with any noun, or only specific ones?

It works with a fairly fixed set of collocations — you wouldn't say 'burst into happiness' or 'burst into noise', for example. The most natural ones are tears, laughter, flames, song, applause, giggles, hysterics, a smile, and a rage. Sticking to established collocations is the safest approach, as the verb has a strong preference for nouns that describe an outpouring or eruption.

What's the difference between 'burst into laughter' and 'break into laughter'?

'Burst into' and 'break into' share several objects — laughter, song, a smile, a run — and are often interchangeable. The main difference is that 'burst into' suggests something more explosive and uncontrolled, while 'break into' can imply a slightly more gradual or deliberate transition. In practice, both are natural, but 'burst into' carries a stronger sense of suddenness.

Can I use 'burst into' to describe something that happens slowly or gradually?

No — this is one of the defining features of the verb. 'Burst into' always implies an abrupt, uncontrolled onset. If something develops slowly, you'd need a different expression, such as 'gradually broke into' or simply 'slowly began'.

Why can't I say 'the audience was burst into applause'?

Because 'burst into' cannot be used in the passive voice. The noun after 'into' is not a direct object of the verb — it follows the preposition 'into'. Since there's no direct object to promote to subject position, a passive construction simply isn't possible with this phrasal verb.

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