head bent

USAGE SUMMARY

"head bent" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to describe a posture in which someone is hunched over, their chin and chest close to their knees and their back and neck curved - all of which signals sadness or exhaustion. For example, "The old man walked slowly down the street with his head bent and shoulders slumped."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

A tall, balding man was standing there, his head bent.

The New Yorker

She starts etching lines on her briefing papers, head bent.

The Guardian

As I was walking down Lexington just south of East 96th Street one recent Sunday evening, I noticed a man kneeling on one knee, his head bent.

The New York Times

Hands crossed behind his back, head bent, he embodies loneliness.

The New York Times - Arts

He dragged one leg after him and carried his head bent to one side.

The New Yorker

On one wall, a woman is shown with her head bent.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Malcolm's life was a head-bent, shoulders-hunched sidelong glance at the world.

The New Yorker

Hawkins (1974), Dam and Wight (2015) and Matzke et al. (2015) published a paper presenting an overview of tests performed with different punching-shear reinforcement systems such as steel heads, bent-up bars, and stirrups.

International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials

If the S2 swing was in the opposite direction (clockwise), the lever arm would bend anticlockwise with respect to the thick filament thereby making the myosin head more bent than the already bent S1 crystal structures contrary to our observation.

Plosone

His head was bent low, eyes fixed on the floor.

The New York Times

His head was bent and everything he said came through the oxygen mask.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "head bent" to describe a physical posture indicating sadness, introspection, or exhaustion. It's effective in setting a mood or revealing a character's emotional state.

Common error

Be mindful of overusing "head bent" to describe similar emotional states repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your descriptions with alternatives like "head bowed", "eyes cast down", or "shoulders slumped" to maintain reader engagement and avoid monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "head bent" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun (usually a pronoun referring to a person) to indicate a specific posture. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

15%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "head bent" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, primarily within news and media contexts. As verified by Ludwig AI, its primary function is to describe a physical posture often indicative of sadness, introspection, or concentration. While versatile, it's advisable to vary your descriptive language by considering alternatives like "head bowed" or "eyes cast down" to avoid repetitive prose. This analysis offers practical writing guidance to leverage the phrase effectively, while suggesting common errors to avoid. The wealth of examples provided by Ludwig underscore its widespread acceptance and nuanced usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

head bowed

Emphasizes a sense of respect, shame, or grief, whereas "head bent" is more neutral regarding the emotion.

head drooping

Implies fatigue or weakness, a more specific reason for the posture than "head bent".

head inclined

Suggests curiosity or attentiveness, a different connotation from the more general "head bent".

head lowered

Similar to "head bent" but can suggest defiance or stubbornness in addition to sadness or introspection.

chin down

Focuses on the position of the chin, whereas "head bent" describes the entire head posture.

looking down

Describes the direction of gaze, while "head bent" describes the physical posture.

gazing downwards

Similar to "looking down", emphasizing the direction of sight, whereas "head bent" is about physical position.

eyes cast down

More focused on the eyes than the overall head position, suggesting humility or avoidance.

head stooped

Suggests a more permanent or habitual bending of the head, possibly due to age or burden.

neck craned down

Highlights the neck's involvement in the posture, implying strain or effort in bending the head.

FAQs

How can I use "head bent" in a sentence?

You can use "head bent" to describe a posture indicating sadness, contemplation, or submission, such as: "He walked away, his "head bent" in defeat" or "She sat at her desk, her "head bent" over her work".

What are some alternatives to "head bent"?

Depending on the nuance you want to convey, you could use alternatives like "head bowed" (for reverence or shame), "head drooping" (for exhaustion), or "head inclined" (for attentiveness).

What does it mean when someone has their "head bent"?

Having your "head bent" typically suggests a physical posture linked to emotional states such as sadness, contemplation, or submission. It can also simply indicate that someone is looking down or focusing on something below them.

Is "head bent" always associated with negative emotions?

While often linked to negative emotions like sadness or defeat, "head bent" isn't exclusively negative. It can also describe someone engrossed in a task, deep in thought, or showing respect, such as "head bowed" in prayer.