she dissolved into tears

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she dissolved into tears" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a moment of overwhelming emotion, typically sadness, where someone begins to cry. Example: "After hearing the heartbreaking news, she dissolved into tears, unable to hold back her emotions any longer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

She dissolved into tears, wavered and then decided to come out.

The New York Times

While describing her sense of isolation, she'd seemed almost sobered by awe; but she dissolved into tears again as she remembered her sense of wild confusion and terror.

The New York Times - Magazine

In Uganda now on a project, Dr. Bellino, 34, said she closed her eyes and saw the beaming face of a 12-year-old Haitian boy named Mystil Jean Wesmer who ended up comforting her when she dissolved into tears.

The New York Times

I mentioned the scene at the house where she dissolved into tears.

The New York Times - Magazine

As we wheeled Dad into the room, Mom reached out to him, her face alit with joy and then she dissolved into tears.

Huffington Post

But the outspoken justice reveals her emotional side on a new episode of "Oprah's Next Chapter" when she talks about one of the rare times she dissolved into tears, thanks to a life-changing phone call from President Barack Obama.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

He crawls into a corner, and she dissolves into tears.

The Washington Post

A stout, white-bearded man steps into the frame to join her, and she dissolves into tears.

The New York Times

She dissolves into tears and throws a tantrum of epic proportions.

Huffington Post

She dissolves into tears and wails, "You talked to me in a mean voice!" It's far more effective to stay calm.

Huffington Post

Then she recalled that her boyfriend, Ted, had called the professor Commander Grabber, and she slowly dissolved into tears at how much she missed Ted.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "she dissolved into tears" to depict a sudden and intense emotional breakdown, particularly when the character is overwhelmed by sadness or grief. This phrase effectively illustrates a moment of vulnerability and emotional release.

Common error

Avoid using "she dissolved into tears" too frequently within the same piece of writing. Vary your descriptions of emotional responses to maintain reader engagement and prevent the phrase from losing its impact. Alternatives like "she began to weep" or "she burst into tears" can provide similar emotional depth without repetition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she dissolved into tears" primarily functions as a descriptive element within a narrative. It illustrates a character's emotional state, indicating a sudden and overwhelming release of sadness or grief. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "she dissolved into tears" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe a sudden and overwhelming emotional breakdown, primarily characterized by sadness or grief. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. While not overly frequent, it is commonly found in News & Media contexts. To enhance writing, it's advisable to vary emotional descriptions and avoid overuse. Alternative phrases like "she burst into tears" or "she broke down in tears" can provide similar emotional depth without repetition. The phrase effectively evokes empathy and understanding by illustrating a character's vulnerability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she burst into tears

Focuses on the sudden and forceful nature of crying.

she broke down in tears

Emphasizes a loss of emotional control leading to crying.

she succumbed to tears

Highlights a sense of being overwhelmed by sadness and giving in to crying.

she began weeping

A more formal and literary way to describe crying.

she started to cry

A more general and less intense way of describing the onset of tears.

she shed tears

A more formal way of saying she cried.

she was overcome with emotion

Highlights the emotional state leading to tears, rather than the act of crying itself.

she was moved to tears

Suggests an external influence caused her to cry.

tears welled up in her eyes

Focuses on the physical manifestation of impending tears.

she teared up

A less intense and more subtle expression of sadness.

FAQs

What does "she dissolved into tears" mean?

The phrase "she dissolved into tears" means that she suddenly started crying, overwhelmed by emotion, typically sadness or grief. It suggests a complete breakdown and release of pent-up feelings.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "she dissolved into tears"?

It's appropriate to use "she dissolved into tears" when you want to emphasize a character's sudden and intense emotional breakdown. It is best used when the character is experiencing overwhelming sadness, grief, or a moment of extreme vulnerability.

What are some alternatives to "she dissolved into tears"?

You can use alternatives like "she burst into tears", "she broke down in tears", or "she started crying depending on the level of intensity you want to convey".

Is "she dissolved into tears" a cliché?

While "she dissolved into tears" isn't inherently a cliché, overusing it can make your writing seem predictable. Varying your descriptions of emotional responses and using more nuanced language can help avoid this. Consider alternatives that focus on the specific emotion driving the tears.