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Prepositions after verbs

Burst into vs burst with

Burst into usually describes a sudden action or entry. Burst with describes being full of emotion, energy, or contents.

Quick answer

When do we use burst into or burst with?

Use burst into for sudden actions such as laughter, tears, or entering a place. Use burst with for being full of emotion, pride, or contents.

Everyone burst into laughter.
She burst into the room.
He was bursting with pride.
The bag burst with flour.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
burst into + laughter/tears/song

Start an action suddenly

Burst into commonly introduces sudden emotional or vocal actions.

The audience burst into applause.
2
burst into + place

Enter suddenly

Burst into can describe quick or forceful movement into a place.

Police officers burst into the apartment.
3
burst with + emotion

Be full of strong feeling

Burst with expresses fullness or intensity.

She was bursting with excitement.
4
burst with + contents

Break because something is full

Burst with can describe containers or objects that split open.

The pipe burst with pressure.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
burst into
They burst into song.
begin suddenly or enter forcefully
burst with
He was bursting with confidence.
be full of emotion or energy
burst into
She burst into the office.
enter quickly or unexpectedly
burst with
The sack burst with grain.
break open because it is too full

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using burst with for sudden actions

Burst into is used for actions like laughter or tears.

✕ They burst with laughter. ✓ They burst into laughter.

Using burst into for fullness

Burst with expresses fullness or strong emotion.

✕ She burst into pride. ✓ She burst with pride.

Forgetting the -ing form after was

After was or were, use bursting with.

✕ He was burst with joy. ✓ He was bursting with joy.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The children burst ___ laughter.
2. She was bursting ___ excitement.
3. The officers burst ___ the building.

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Frequently asked questions

Can burst into mean entering a place?

Yes. It often describes sudden or forceful entry.

What emotions are common with burst with?

Common examples include pride, joy, excitement, and confidence.

Is burst into laughter a fixed expression?

Yes. It is a very common English pattern.

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