a river of tears

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a river of tears" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is a common phrase used to describe a large or continuous flow of tears. Example: "As she read the heart-wrenching letter, a river of tears flowed down her cheeks, soaking the paper in her hands."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

A River of Tears, The River of Hope centers on the saga of the Two Torah Scrolls, and of a fluent and thriving community living peacefully for 2600 years until World War II and the events of Nazism, anti-Semitism and hatred took place in the ancient region known as the Cradle of Civilization, or modern days Iraq.

HuffPost

"I've cried a river of tears.

The New York Times

Her hair is a river of tears.

The Guardian - Arts

"Oh," she said, and she released a river of tears.

The New Yorker

But she said that at last year's Wimbledon, when she left in a river of tears.

The Guardian - Sport

"It's a river of tears, and we're in over our ears," he sang in "Down on Our Shield".

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

The knot that threatened to surface at any moment and expose a hot river of tears that would spill down my defeated and broken face.

Huffington Post

Because after Ma and Laura narrowly escape a run-in with a giant bear and Pa gets back from town and plays everyone a ditty on his fiddle, my two girls step over a sea of plastic toys to get to their beds, and I remove the sealed top from my tapioca and proceed to become agitated over ladies with surgically redesigned bodies who weep an endless river of tears over casual slights.

The New York Times - Magazine

With all the caring, you're soon to see a river of everyone's sympathy tears.

Huffington Post

Thus the river of tears that a confused Alice cries in Carroll's original text upon arrival in Wonderland has been written out of the story.

The New York Times

An ambivalent relationship with a drinking man (probably the same father) who "could sit and drink the way a monk could pray" is remembered in "River of Tears," at the end of which the narrator picks up "that old decanter that he used to drink from".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "a river of tears" to vividly depict intense sadness or grief, particularly when describing a situation causing widespread sorrow.

Common error

Avoid using "a river of tears" in situations that warrant a more subtle or understated expression of sadness. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "a river of tears" is to act as a metaphorical noun phrase. It vividly describes a large quantity of tears, functioning as the subject or object in a sentence. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a river of tears" is a grammatically correct and commonly used metaphorical phrase to depict intense sadness or grief. As supported by Ludwig AI, it is used to emphasize the depth of sorrow. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to evoke a strong emotional response. When using this phrase, writers should consider the context and avoid overuse to maintain its impact. Alternatives such as "a flood of sorrow" or "an ocean of grief" can provide variety while conveying similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a flood of sorrow

Emphasizes the overwhelming nature of sorrow, using "flood" to suggest a sudden and intense outpouring.

an ocean of grief

Uses "ocean" to indicate a vast and seemingly endless amount of grief.

drowning in sorrow

Emphasizes the feeling of being overwhelmed and unable to cope with sadness.

a cascade of sadness

Suggests a flowing, continuous release of sadness, similar to a waterfall.

a torrent of anguish

Implies a violent and forceful expression of deep suffering.

awash in tears

Describes being completely surrounded or covered by tears.

shedding copious tears

Focuses on the large quantity of tears being produced.

weeping buckets

An informal expression for crying excessively.

uncontrollable weeping

Highlights the lack of control over the act of crying.

a wellspring of emotion

Highlights the deep source from which the tears originate.

FAQs

How can I use "a river of tears" in a sentence?

You can use "a river of tears" to describe an outpouring of sadness or grief. For example, "When the movie ended, a river of tears flowed from the audience's eyes".

What are some alternatives to "a river of tears"?

Alternatives include "a flood of sorrow", "an ocean of grief", or "shedding copious tears", each conveying a similar sense of overwhelming sadness.

Is it appropriate to use "a river of tears" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a river of tears" is a metaphorical expression and may be more suitable for creative or descriptive writing than formal, technical documents. Consider the tone and audience when deciding whether to use this phrase.

What does "a river of tears" typically symbolize?

The phrase "a river of tears" typically symbolizes intense sorrow, grief, or emotional distress. It suggests a large and continuous outpouring of tears, often in response to a significant loss or tragedy.