filled with tears

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "filled with tears" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express the fact that someone is crying or feeling very sad. For example, "He stood in front of the mirror, his eyes filled with tears."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

His eyes filled with tears.

The New Yorker

Her eyes filled with tears.

The New York Times

His smiling eyes filled with tears.

The New York Times - Sports

His eyes had filled with tears.

The New Yorker

Her voice filled with tears.

The Guardian

Yoko's eyes filled with tears.

The New Yorker

General Qamish's eyes also filled with tears.

The New Yorker

Their son Nate's eyes filled with tears.

The New Yorker

His eyes were filled with tears.

The New York Times

Her amber eyes are filled with tears".

The New York Times - Books

Our eyes were filled with tears.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "filled with tears" to vividly depict a character's emotional state in literature or descriptive writing. It's a strong, clear image.

Common error

While effective, repeatedly using "filled with tears" can dilute its impact. Vary your descriptions of sadness and emotional response by using "tearful", or "eyes brimming with tears" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "filled with tears" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun (usually "eyes" or another body part) to describe its state. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "filled with tears" is a powerful and common way to describe someone experiencing intense emotion, particularly sadness or grief. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. Its primary function is adjectival, modifying a noun to depict a state of emotional distress. While highly effective, overuse should be avoided in favor of alternatives like "tearful" or "eyes brimming with tears" to maintain impact. Predominantly found in news and media, the phrase serves to evoke empathy and paint a vivid picture of emotional states. It is used on credible sources like The New York Times, The New Yorker, and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Eyes brimming with tears

Focuses on the eyes as holding back tears.

Tears welling up

Describes tears beginning to form.

On the verge of tears

Describes the state of being close to crying.

Eyes moist with tears

Highlights the presence of tears, making the eyes wet.

Tearful

Adjective describing someone who is crying or likely to cry.

Misty-eyed

A poetic term for having eyes "filled with tears".

Fighting back tears

Emphasizes the effort to suppress crying.

Blinking back tears

Action of trying to prevent tears from falling.

Tears streaming down

Describes tears flowing freely.

Overcome with emotion

Highlights the cause that leads to being "filled with tears".

FAQs

How can I use "filled with tears" in a sentence?

You can use "filled with tears" to describe someone's emotional state. For example, "Her eyes were "filled with tears" as she recounted the story."

What can I say instead of "filled with tears"?

You can use alternatives like "tearful", "eyes brimming with tears", or "on the verge of tears", depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "filled with tears" or "filling with tears"?

"Filled with tears" suggests a completed state, while "filling with tears" indicates a process. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the situation you're describing.

What's the difference between "filled with tears" and "flooded with tears"?

"Filled with tears" describes eyes that are full of tears, while "flooded with tears" suggests an overflow, indicating a more intense emotional outpouring.