brought to tears

USAGE SUMMARY

"brought to tears" is a correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It is used when something causes someone to start crying. For example: The sad story of the young girl's struggles with poverty brought him to tears.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And here he was struck by disappointment, brought to tears.

The Guardian

One English teacher is almost brought to tears because she finally has bookshelves in her classroom.

The New York Times - Arts

I have been brought to tears with all the strong, badass, incredible women tonight.

Independent

The usually aloof Duquette was nearly brought to tears at his farewell news conference.

The New York Times - Sports

Actor Chris Pine was among those brought to tears by the Oscar-winning song.

Independent

Abramović was brought to tears, while he wordlessly acknowledged the debt he owed his subject.

The New Yorker

"Both my brother's wife and mine have been brought to tears," Wagner said.

The New York Times - Sports

And I was so grateful that I was often brought to tears.

The Washington Post

"Some people in the booths have been brought to tears," she adds.

The New York Times

(Wristbands for everyone!) They want to be brought to tears by a compelling narrative.

The Guardian

When Mr. Taubman first visited the vacated General Motors site in Pontiac, he was brought to tears.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context to ensure the phrase aligns with the tone and formality required. While versatile, be mindful of overly sentimental or dramatic portrayals that could diminish its impact.

Common error

Avoid using "brought to tears" for situations that evoke only slight sadness or disappointment. Reserve it for moments of genuine, significant emotional impact to maintain its weight.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brought to tears" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a strong emotional reaction. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It signifies that someone was caused to cry due to a particular event or feeling. The examples show various contexts where this phrase is appropriately used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

7%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "brought to tears" effectively conveys a strong emotional response, typically indicating that someone was caused to cry due to a significant event or feeling. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use. It appears most frequently in News & Media sources, maintaining a neutral register suitable for various contexts. While alternatives like "moved to tears" or "reduced to tears" exist, "brought to tears" specifically emphasizes the cause-and-effect relationship between an event and the emotional response. Remember to reserve its use for situations of genuine emotional impact to maintain its intended power.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moved to tears

Emphasizes the act of being moved by something, resulting in tears.

reduced to tears

Highlights the state of being brought down emotionally to the point of crying.

on the verge of tears

Indicates being close to crying, but not quite shedding tears.

close to tears

Similar to 'on the verge of tears', suggesting proximity to crying.

tearful

Describes a state filled with or likely to produce tears.

weepy

Suggests a tendency to cry easily or frequently.

choked up

Indicates being overcome with emotion, often leading to difficulty speaking and potential tears.

overcome with emotion

Highlights the feeling of being overpowered by feelings, potentially resulting in tears.

heartbroken

Emphasizes deep sorrow and emotional pain, often leading to tears.

distraught

Suggests extreme distress and agitation, likely causing tears.

FAQs

How can I use "brought to tears" in a sentence?

You can use "brought to tears" to describe someone's emotional reaction to a situation. For example, "The movie's ending brought her "to tears"" or "His heartfelt speech brought the audience "to tears"".

What are some alternatives to "brought to tears"?

Alternatives include "moved to tears", "reduced to tears", or "on the verge of tears", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "brought to tears"?

Yes, "brought to tears" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in English. It accurately describes the act of something causing someone to cry.

What is the difference between "brought to tears" and "moved to tears"?

While both phrases describe an emotional response leading to crying, "brought to tears" suggests that something specific caused the tears. "Moved to tears", on the other hand, implies a deeper emotional impact or appreciation. They are very similar but "moved to tears" implies a positive emotional trigger too.