full of tears

USAGE SUMMARY

"full of tears" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is visibly crying or who is doing so without showing it externally. For example, "He walked out of the room, his face full of tears."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Guillem's smiles were full of tears.

The Guardian

"My heart is full of tears," he says.

Independent

He got on, his voice full of tears.

The Guardian

I looked up and my eyes were full of tears.

The New York Times

It is covering a face full of tears.

The Guardian

"It was a lot of emotions, full of tears," Ms. Jimenez said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

The newspaper Yeni Safak has pointed a finger at Reuters — for daring to show that demonstrations in Istanbul were starting afresh by posting a photo of a restaurant full of tear gas on the day the International Olympic Committee made its selection.

The New York Times

This musical, full of tear-raising anthems, hilarious musical rants, and standing-ovation causing ballads, educates the audience about oppression while also providing them with an extremely enjoyable piece of theater.

Huffington Post

With stinging bloodshot eyeballs and a throat full of tear gas, I bolted up into a doorway where a charitable Chilean handed me a bit of vinegar-soaked cotton wool to soothe my irritated eyes it was agony.

Vice

Hayley Butler of Jam! gave the final episode of the series a mixed review, saying it "was full of tear-jerking moments" and "the only episode not full of stupid jokes, childish behaviour and Britney's thoughts on life", commenting that Spears and Federline wedding scenes "looked to be a very emotional and touching event".

Wikipedia

One or two cups of flour should be enough for a small amount of paper such as a supermarket plastic bag full of torn paper.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "full of tears" to vividly portray a character's emotional state, but avoid overuse to maintain impact. Vary your descriptions with related phrases for nuanced emotional expression.

Common error

Avoid using "full of tears" in contexts that should be lighthearted or humorous. This phrase is best reserved for situations involving genuine sadness, grief, or intense emotion to prevent tonal incongruity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "full of tears" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun (e.g., eyes, face, voice) to indicate a state of extreme sadness or emotional distress, often visible through the presence of tears. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "full of tears" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe someone experiencing intense sadness or grief, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in News & Media, this phrase serves to evoke empathy by vividly illustrating emotional distress. While versatile, it's best used in contexts where such strong emotions are appropriate, avoiding misuse in lighthearted scenarios. For variety and nuance, consider using alternatives like "tearful" or "on the verge of tears".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tearful

A more concise adjective describing someone filled with or shedding tears.

weepy

Describes a state of being prone to tears or easily moved to tears.

on the verge of tears

Indicates an imminent state of crying, highlighting the proximity to tears.

eyes brimming with tears

Focuses specifically on the eyes as holding or containing tears.

choked with emotion

Emphasizes the overwhelming emotional state that leads to or accompanies tears.

overcome with grief

Highlights the cause of the tears, specifically grief and sorrow.

heartbroken

Captures the deep emotional pain that often results in tears.

inconsolable

Describes a state of sadness so profound that comfort is impossible.

sad

A general term for unhappiness. The main difference resides in intensity.

mournful

Suggests deep sorrow or lamentation, often associated with loss.

FAQs

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

You can use "full of tears" to describe someone's emotional state, like "Her eyes were "full of tears" as she recounted the story" or "The room was "full of tears" after the emotional announcement".

What can I say instead of "full of tears"?

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

Which is correct, "full of tears" or "full with tears"?

"Full of tears" is the correct and more common phrasing. "Full with tears" is grammatically awkward and not typically used.

Is "full of tears" formal or informal?

"Full of tears" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it's most impactful when describing intense emotional situations.