a smile formed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a smile formed' is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it in any situation when you want to describe the formation of a smile on someone's face. For example, "John's face lit up with a smile formed at the corners of his mouth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Somewhere on his dirty face, below the bandage, a smile formed.

The Guardian - Books

A smile formed on Epstein's bow-shaped lips.

Huffington Post

A smile formed on my face as I sensed them having fun.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

I hung there, my head in between my legs, my ears tickling my inner thighs, and noticed a smile forming upside down on my face.

Huffington Post

And slowly a smile forms on the schoolboy's face.

The Guardian - Books

When a smile forms on the left side of Marise Acosta's face, it pulls the stiffer right side along with it, and spreads out to her daughter, Clarice Pulliza, who is constantly by her side.

The New York Times

The man turned around and for a second I thought I saw a smile form at the corner of his mouth.

Huffington Post

A mischievous smile formed on his face, as if Pellegrini had shared a secret no one else was privy to.

The New Yorker

Instead, a small smile formed on Moran's lips, and he slowly lowered his hands to his lap, and, without opening their eyes, the others lowered theirs, too.

The New Yorker

A little smile formed from time to time as he talked of how baseball is a "funny, great, strange and frustrating" game that never ceases to surprise even its experienced practitioners.

The New York Times - Sports

The bottlenose, characterized by a "built-in smile" formed by the curvature of its mouth, has become a familiar performer in oceanariums.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a smile formed" to describe the gradual development or appearance of a smile, often suggesting a subtle or internal reaction.

Common error

Avoid using "a smile formed" when a more direct and expressive phrase like "they grinned" or "they smiled broadly" would be more appropriate. The phrase is best suited for nuanced situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a smile formed" typically functions as a descriptive element within a sentence, often serving as the predicate or part of the predicate. It describes the action of a smile coming into being on a person's face. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a smile formed" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, as verified by Ludwig. It is most commonly found in News & Media contexts, used to describe the gradual appearance of a smile. While not exceedingly common, it provides a nuanced way to depict a character's emotional response. Ludwig's analysis indicates that related phrases, such as "a smile appeared" or "their lips curved into a smile", can offer alternative ways to express similar ideas with varying degrees of emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a smile appeared

Replaces "formed" with "appeared", emphasizing the suddenness of the smile.

a smile began to form

Adds "began to", highlighting the initial stage of the smile's formation.

a smile spread across their face

Focuses on the smile's expansion across the face.

their lips curved into a smile

Describes the physical action of the lips forming a smile.

a smile took shape

Uses "took shape" instead of "formed", suggesting a gradual development.

the hint of a smile played on their lips

Emphasizes the subtle nature of the smile.

a faint smile emerged

Indicates that the smile was subtle at first.

the corners of their mouth turned up

Focuses on the physical aspect of smiling, without explicitly mentioning "smile".

a grin materialized

Uses "materialized" to suggest a more pronounced and sudden smile.

their face broke into a smile

Highlights the sudden and expressive nature of the smile.

FAQs

How can I use "a smile formed" in a sentence?

You can use "a smile formed" to describe the beginning or the gradual development of a smile on someone's face. For instance, "As he heard the good news, "a smile formed" on his lips."

What can I say instead of "a smile formed"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a smile appeared", "a smile began to form", or "their lips curved into a smile", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "a smile formed" or "a smile appeared"?

Both phrases are correct, but they suggest slightly different things. "A smile formed" suggests a gradual process, while "a smile appeared" implies a more sudden manifestation.

What's the difference between "a smile formed" and "a smile spread"?

"A smile formed" describes the initial creation of a smile, while "a smile spread" describes how a smile expands across someone's face, indicating a more visible and expressive emotion.