How do you write like someone is coughing?

It's tough to write *exactly* like someone is coughing, since that's more of a sound than a written form. But we can use different techniques to evoke the sensation of coughing:

1. Onomatopoeia:

* Simple: "Cough, cough, cough." This is straightforward, but can be repetitive.

* Descriptive: "A hacking cough ripped through the air, a rough, dry sound that grated on everyone's nerves." This adds detail and emotion.

* Symbolic: "His throat felt like sandpaper, each rasping cough a desperate attempt to clear the passage." This uses figurative language to suggest the physical discomfort.

2. Interruptions:

* Sentence Fragments: "Cough... cough... can't... breathe..." This creates a sense of struggle and urgency.

* Dashes: "He tried to speak, but a - cough - interrupted him." This breaks up the flow, mimicking the interruption of the cough.

3. Word Choice:

* Harsh sounds: "He rasped, his voice strained and hoarse." Words like "rasp," "hoarse," and "strained" emphasize the unpleasantness.

* Physical descriptions: "His chest heaved, a convulsive cough shaking his body." This focuses on the physical act of coughing.

4. Context:

* Setting: "The dusty air in the old mine hung heavy, each cough a reminder of the dangers." This ties the cough to the environment.

* Character: "The old man, weakened by illness, let out a thin, hacking cough. It was a sound that spoke of a long life lived, and a body worn out." This adds a layer of meaning to the cough, connecting it to the character's history.

Ultimately, the best way to write like someone is coughing depends on your goal. Do you want to simply convey the sound, or evoke a deeper emotional response? By choosing your words and techniques carefully, you can effectively write the "sound" of a cough into your writing.