shared tears

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shared tears" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a moment of emotional connection or empathy between individuals, often in the context of grief or sadness. Example: "In that moment of loss, we found solace in our shared tears, knowing we were not alone in our sorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

She immediately called her mother, Ruth, a 69-year-old nutritionist, and they shared tears of joy.

The New York Times

They are constantly reminded of their lost son, the oldest of three children, often with laughter, at times with shared tears.

The New York Times

Yet there is also potential for a real thrust of solidarity and social cohesion on the horizon, because beyond the shared tears the tragedy of Toulouse confronts France with the complex "multiple identities" notion that it has ignored for too long.

The Guardian - Opinion

We then again hugged and shared tears with one another.

Huffington Post

Together, we shared tears of sorrow and tears of joy.

Huffington Post

I had no idea what he was talking about and we shared tears of frustration before I worked it out.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"And even a shared tear can be what that child remembers.

Huffington Post

Use of PPE such as boots, aprons and eye protective glasses depended on their availability and sometimes HCWs shared torn aprons.

BMC Health Services Research

"When they were leaving, last year, everybody was sharing tears," she said.

The New York Times

The two friends knew they could not share gymnastics' top prize, but when Friday came they did end up sharing tears.

The New York Times - Sports

For more than 10 years, the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests was little more than a loose support group of men and women who gathered in one another's homes to share tears, traumatic memories and legal advice.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shared tears" to emphasize a moment of emotional connection and empathy, especially in situations of grief or loss. This conveys a sense of community and understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "shared tears" in contexts that are already heavily sentimental or melodramatic. Overusing it can make your writing seem insincere or contrived. Instead, consider using more subtle ways to convey empathy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shared tears" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an object or subject complement. It describes an instance where multiple individuals experience and express sadness collectively. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for conveying empathy and connection during moments of grief or sorrow.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Huffington Post

17%

The New York Times

8%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shared tears" is a grammatically sound and meaningful phrase that describes a moment of collective sadness or emotional connection. While it is used most often in News & Media, as Ludwig AI reports, the phrase effectively communicates empathy and solidarity. To avoid overuse, consider alternatives like "mutual grief" or "collective weeping" to maintain sincerity and avoid melodrama. Understanding these nuances allows for more effective and impactful communication when discussing sensitive emotional topics.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shared sorrow

Highlights the communal aspect of sadness.

collective weeping

Focuses on the act of crying together as a group.

communal grief

Stresses the grief felt by a community.

mutual grief

Emphasizes the shared feeling of sorrow and loss.

common sorrow

Highlights the shared experience of sadness.

united in sorrow

Suggests that people are brought together by their sadness.

empathetic tears

Implies that tears are a result of understanding another's suffering.

sympathetic tears

Implies that the tears are shed out of empathy for others.

together in mourning

Focuses on the joint experience of grieving.

joint mourning

Highlights the shared experience of grieving.

FAQs

How can I use "shared tears" in a sentence?

You can use "shared tears" to describe a moment when people cry together due to a common feeling, such as grief or joy. For example: "In that moment of loss, they found solace in their "shared tears"".

What are some alternatives to "shared tears"?

Alternatives to "shared tears" include "mutual grief", "collective weeping", or "common sorrow". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "shared tears" a common expression?

"Shared tears" is not as common as some other expressions for sadness, but it is readily understood and conveys a specific sense of communal emotion.

What does "shared tears" emphasize in a description?

"Shared tears" emphasizes the communal aspect of sadness or emotional experience. It highlights that the individuals involved are not alone in their feelings and that there's a connection formed through their shared emotional expression.