he is smiling

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence 'he is smiling' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe someone's current facial expression. For example, "As the little girl opened her present, he is smiling with delight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Lifestyle

Travel

Sports

Music

Politics

Society

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

"If Gianni is looking down," said Stefano Tonchi, Esquire's fashion director, "he is smiling".

The New York Times - Style

He is smiling.

The New York Times - Food

Perhaps he is smiling inwardly.

The New York Times - Books

He is smiling back.

The New York Times - Arts

Perhaps he is smiling in heaven.

The Economist

But despite being wasted, he is smiling.

The New York Times - Arts

In his mug shot, he is smiling.

The New York Times

He is smiling as he talks.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

After his brush with political near-death, he is smiling, even laughing, more -- and the results are infectious.

The New York Times

"You can't even see Gus's eyes because he is smiling so much".

The Guardian - Sport

All the time he is smiling a huge cheesy grin.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he is smiling" when you want to describe a person's current expression, conveying happiness, amusement, or contentment. This simple phrase efficiently communicates a positive emotional state.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "he is smiling" to convey emotion. Vary your descriptions by using different types of smiles (e.g., 'he grinned', 'he smirked') or focusing on other facial features and body language to create a more nuanced and engaging portrayal of the character's feelings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he is smiling" functions as a present continuous verb phrase. It describes an action that is currently happening. As Ludwig AI confirms, it accurately depicts someone's current facial expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Arts

12%

Lifestyle

12%

Less common in

Travel

6%

Sports

6%

Science

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he is smiling" is a versatile and common way to describe someone's current facial expression, typically indicating happiness or amusement. As Ludwig AI explains, it's grammatically correct and suitable for a wide range of contexts. With a neutral register, it can be used in news, literature, and everyday conversation. While a straightforward description, remember to vary your language and imagery to create a more vivid picture of the character's emotions and demeanor, rather than over-relying on "he is smiling".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he has a smile on his face

This alternative describes the presence of a smile rather than the act of smiling.

he is beaming

This suggests a broader, more radiant smile, implying happiness and joy.

he is grinning

This alternative indicates a wide smile, often suggesting amusement or pleasure.

a smile is on his face

Changes the focus to the smile itself, rather than the action of smiling.

he shows a smile

This alternative focuses on the act of displaying a smile.

he sports a smile

This suggests a conscious and perhaps slightly showy display of a smile.

he appears cheerful

Shifts from a specific facial expression to an overall impression of happiness.

he looks amused

Focuses on the feeling of amusement that causes the smile.

he is chuckling

Indicates quiet laughter, a more advanced expression of joy than a smile.

he expresses delight

Moves away from the physical expression to the feeling of delight itself.

FAQs

How can I use "he is smiling" in a sentence?

The phrase "he is smiling" can be used to describe someone's current facial expression, indicating happiness or amusement. For instance, "He is smiling because he just heard a funny joke."

What are some alternatives to "he is smiling"?

You can use alternatives like "he is grinning", "he is beaming", or "he is chuckling" to provide different shades of meaning.

Is there a difference between "he is smiling" and "he was smiling"?

"He is smiling" describes a present action, while "he was smiling" refers to an action in the past. For example, "He is smiling now," versus "He was smiling when he received the gift."

When is it appropriate to use "he is smiling" in writing?

Use "he is smiling" when you want to explicitly show a character's positive emotion. It's best used when the act of smiling is significant to the scene or the character's internal state.