plenty of tears

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "plenty of tears" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone has cried a lot or experienced significant emotional distress. Example: "After the breakup, there were plenty of tears shed as she reflected on their time together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

But plenty of tears were shed.

The Guardian - Sport

Curtis Martin finished the evening by supplying plenty of tears".

The New York Times

And, yes, there were plenty of tears too.

The Guardian - Sport

There were cuts everywhere, bruises, ice, bandages, sweat, dirt and plenty of tears.

The Guardian - Sport

In addition to the infectious laughter, there are plenty of tears.

The Guardian - Music

Expect plenty of tears in both shows, but less smeared mascara in "Student Body".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

In Garcia's 15 years of playing softball, there have been plenty of tear-jerking moments.

Los Angeles Times

There were plenty of happy tears Monday.

The New York Times - Sports

I threw plenty of crocodile tears in because he tended to hang out with some pretty big-hitters.

The Guardian - Sport

Neither of these high-profile 2014 cases resulted in an indictment, but did lead to plenty of riots, tears, and societal strife.

Vice

Whatever may have changed during the show's network relocation, "Nashville" doesn't appear to have lost its flair for the dramatic, with the trailer featuring plenty of blood, tears and kissing, sometimes simultaneously.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "plenty of tears", ensure the context clearly indicates the cause of the sadness or emotional distress. This will enhance the impact and clarity of your writing.

Common error

Avoid vague sentences where the reason for the "plenty of tears" is unclear. Always provide context to prevent misinterpretation or confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plenty of tears" functions as a noun phrase that describes the quantity of tears shed, indicating an emotional response. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable expression, often found in descriptive writing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "plenty of tears" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression to describe a situation marked by significant sadness or grief. As Ludwig AI points out, it is correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in news and media, it serves to convey emotional distress. While versatile, writers should ensure clarity regarding the cause of the tears to avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrases like "a lot of crying" or "many tears" can be used, depending on the desired tone and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

many tears

A more direct and simpler way of expressing the same sentiment, differing in stylistic choice.

lots of tears

An informal way of saying there were many tears, altering the formality level.

a lot of crying

Focuses on the act of crying, similar to the query but emphasizes the action rather than the emotional output.

profuse crying

Emphasizes the intensity and abundance of crying, increasing the emotional impact.

a flood of tears

Uses a metaphor to describe the overwhelming amount of tears, adding vividness.

abundant tears

Similar to 'copious tears' but with a slightly different nuance in emphasis.

copious tears

Highlights the large quantity of tears shed, sounding more sophisticated.

an outpouring of grief

Shifts focus from the tears themselves to the underlying emotion of grief, broadening the context.

rivers of tears

A more poetic and dramatic way to describe a large quantity of tears.

much weeping

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of expressing sadness, changing the tone.

FAQs

What does "plenty of tears" mean?

The phrase "plenty of tears" means there was a large amount of crying or visible sadness. It implies significant emotional distress.

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

You can use "plenty of tears" to describe a scene or situation where sadness or grief is evident. For instance, "There were plenty of tears at the funeral".

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

You can use alternatives like "a lot of crying", "many tears", or "lots of tears" depending on the context and desired tone.

Is it ever appropriate to use "plenty of tears" in formal writing?

While "plenty of tears" is understandable, it might be better to opt for a more formal expression like "profuse weeping" or "an abundance of tears" in academic or professional contexts.