in his expression

USAGE SUMMARY

"in his expression" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a person's facial expression, or to indicate that someone has a certain emotion expressed on their face. For example, "His face was filled with sadness, evident in his expression".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

The sincerity in his expression was obvious.

The New York Times

There's nothing remote or superior in his expression.

The New York Times - Magazine

There was a weary desperation in his expression.

The New Yorker

"Who told you?" There was a flicker of solicitousness in his expression, in case she minded.

The New Yorker

The tension and excitement in his expression were immediately replaced by a mischievous, slightly sheepish grin.

The New Yorker

But when I met Hossein I found no pique in his expression – only an odd, faintly inauspicious bonhomie.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Grant Doyle is the stiff-backed Yeletsky, quietly sincere in his expressions of affection for Liza.

The Guardian - Music

Mr Bush, in his expressions of regret, has already shown enough flexibility.

The Economist

He was as forthright in his expressions of concern about the crisis in the press, the problems of press culture that led to the inquiry, as he was last July when Hacked Off first had a meeting with him.

The Guardian

In more than six hours of interviews with The New York Times, Mr. Lay remained steadfast in his expressions of innocence, even as he acknowledged, as head of the company, accountability for the debacle rests rightfully with him.

The New York Times

The associative law was missing it was implicit in the lack of parentheses in his expressions.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character's emotions in writing, use "in his expression" to provide a visual cue to the reader. This helps create a more vivid and engaging scene, allowing the reader to infer the character's internal state.

Common error

While "in his expression" is a useful phrase, avoid relying on it too frequently. Vary your descriptions by focusing on specific facial features (e.g., 'the tightening of his jaw' or 'the flicker in his eyes') for a more nuanced and original portrayal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in his expression" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun. It indicates where an emotion or state of mind is visually manifested. Ludwig shows that the phrase often connects an observer's perception to a subject's emotional state.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in his expression" is a versatile and commonly used tool for describing a person's emotional state based on their facial appearance. It is grammatically sound and appears frequently in a variety of sources, including news media, wikis, and scientific publications. While its usage is generally neutral, it's important to avoid overuse and consider more specific descriptions of facial features for a nuanced portrayal. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and wide applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evident in his face

This alternative highlights the visibility and clarity of the emotion on the person's face.

discernible on his face

This suggests that the emotion can be detected or recognized with some effort.

written all over his face

This idiom implies that the emotion is very obvious and easy to see.

reflected in his face

This emphasizes that his face mirrors or shows his internal state.

betrayed by his face

This suggests that his face reveals something he might be trying to hide.

showing in his eyes

This focuses specifically on the eyes as the indicator of emotion.

visible in his countenance

This is a more formal way of saying that the emotion is apparent in his facial appearance.

etched on his face

This suggests a deeply felt or long-lasting emotion.

readable in his features

His feelings can be understood by looking at his facial features.

manifest in his visage

Visage refers to his face or facial expression.

FAQs

How can I use "in his expression" in a sentence?

You can use "in his expression" to describe what someone is feeling or thinking based on their facial appearance. For example, "There was a hint of sadness "in his expression" as he spoke about his past."

What are some alternatives to saying "in his expression"?

Alternatives include "on his face", "in his eyes", or "written all over his face", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more correct to say "in his face" or "in his expression"?

Both phrases are correct, but ""in his expression"" specifically refers to the emotional state conveyed by his face, whereas "in his face" can refer to a more general observation about his appearance.

What does it mean when someone says there's a certain quality "in his expression"?

It means that their face is revealing a particular emotion, thought, or characteristic. For example, saying there's a "wistful irony "in his expression"" suggests he's both sad and amused simultaneously.