stream of tears

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'stream of tears' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a person crying a large amount of tears or when describing a situation or emotion that can be compared to tears. Example: After hearing the news, she turned away and a stream of tears streamed uncontrollably down her cheeks.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"It was only a picture, but, sighing deeply, he let his thoughts feed on it, and his face was wet with a stream of tears," Virgil writes.

The New York Times - Arts

I grabbed him, holding him tight, clutching his dusty, bristly torso, and closing my eyes to keep the unexpected stream of tears from raining down on him.

The New Yorker

In act 5, scene 2 the main character Othello compares himself to a myrrh tree with its constant stream of tears (Myrrha's tears).

Wikipedia

The removal of his spiked chains was followed by something our team had never seen before... a stream of tears down his face.

Huffington Post

"I'm learning that milestones are a very difficult thing to get through in this first year... Everything has become 'after Noah's death,'" said Jodi Sandoval through a stream of tears.

Huffington Post

While I had done my loud, angry, sobbing cries over the previous months back in Chicago, sitting in Seattle on that night, a slow and steady stream of tears quietly made their way down my cheek.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

© Ahdaf Soueif 2011 CS or tear gas The active ingredient is a white powder, 2-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile, which causes streams of tears, a burning sensation in the eyes, the nose and throat, and can trigger chest tightness and vomiting.

The Guardian

Even today, the story sets off silent streams of tears, as he remembers having to tell his family and church, which had raised money to buy him school clothes, that he was no longer a student.

The New York Times

Another exhibition inviting comment on the Web site is "The Museum of Crying Women," in which streams of tears are added to portraits of Hollywood stars, first ladies, fashion celebrities and pop-culture figures; the creator of that show, which opened last week in Katara, is Francesco Vezzoli, the Italian artist and filmmaker.

The New York Times - Arts

Wiping streams of tears and mascara from her face with her sparkly pink nails, she told me how she was arrested last year for violating her parole.

Vice

In particular, "Somebody Gonna Love You," "Too Beautiful for Words," "What About Love?," "The Color Purple," and "I'm Here" were all amazing ballads filled with impossible belts, streams of tears, and thunderous applause.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stream of tears" to vividly describe a sustained and noticeable flow of tears, often indicating deep sadness, grief, or strong emotion. It paints a more evocative picture than simply saying someone cried.

Common error

While "stream of tears" is effective, overuse can diminish its impact. Vary your descriptions of crying with alternatives like "a single tear rolled down", "sobs racked their body", or "eyes welled up" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stream of tears" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. It vividly describes a continuous flow of tears, often associated with intense emotion. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "stream of tears" is a grammatically sound and evocative way to describe someone crying intensely. As Ludwig AI points out, it is a correct and usable phrase in written English. While not overly common, its usage is well-established, particularly in news and media contexts. When using "stream of tears", remember that it paints a vivid picture of continuous crying due to strong emotion. Alternatives like "torrent of tears" or "flood of tears" can be used to emphasize different aspects of the crying, such as its force or abundance. However, varying your descriptions of crying can keep your writing fresh and engaging. The expression is valid and can be a powerful tool for conveying emotion in descriptive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

torrent of tears

Emphasizes a more forceful and overwhelming flow of tears.

flood of tears

Highlights the abundance and inundating nature of the tears.

river of tears

Implies a continuous and prolonged outpouring of tears.

deluge of tears

Similar to flood, emphasizes a heavy and overwhelming amount of tears.

outburst of crying

Focuses on the sudden and intense onset of weeping.

fit of sobbing

Describes a more convulsive and emotional form of crying.

uncontrollable weeping

Highlights the lack of restraint in the act of crying.

profuse crying

Indicates that the crying is abundant and excessive.

weeping profusely

Modifies the verb to describe the act of crying intensely.

wave of emotion

Highlights the strong emotional experience often associated with crying.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "stream of tears" in a sentence?

Use "stream of tears" to vividly depict continuous crying due to intense emotion, as in, "After hearing the news, a "stream of tears" flowed down her face".

What are some alternatives to "stream of tears"?

You can use alternatives like "torrent of tears", "flood of tears", or "river of tears" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

While grammatically correct, "stream of tears" might be more suitable for descriptive or narrative writing. In formal or technical contexts, consider more neutral language unless the emotional impact is crucial.

What's the difference between "stream of tears" and "welling up with tears"?

"Stream of tears" describes a continuous flow, while "welling up with tears" indicates the initial gathering of tears, suggesting impending crying rather than an ongoing act.