tears dripping down

USAGE SUMMARY

"tears dripping down" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe someone crying or to evoke a sense of sadness or emotion in a scene. Example: As she watched the sunset, tears started dripping down her cheeks, the weight of her sorrow too heavy to bear any longer.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The curly-haired baby looks out from the poster with sad eyes and tears dripping down his tawny cheeks.

The New York Times

Here is Lady Juliet Duff, a great friend of Diaghilev's and a supporter of the company: "I remember a day at my mother's house... when he had had a disagreement with Nijinsky, who had refused to come, and he sat in the garden with tears dripping down his face and would not be comforted".

The New Yorker

This is referred to metaphorically as "en wangxia liu" (downstream grace) or "yanlei wangxia liu" (tears dripping down) (He 2009; Ma et al. 2011; Liu 2005; Liu 2012; Shen 2013).

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

she told me, tears dripping down her face.

Huffington Post

I taste the tears dripping down my dirty face My legs feel like collapsing From how much pain I am in I hope that someone would come and save me Like Bobby, a real hero.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

By 11, paint was dripping down legs and speckling hands.

The New York Times

"I could hear the tears dripping going down the back straightaway over the radio".

The New York Times - Sports

But I looked at her then, with the tears dripping slowly down her thin cheeks and I knew, in the end, it'd be better if I kept it.

The New Yorker

The safe spaces for emotional jettisoning in SATC, the real, raw stuff, were the brunch table or a funky Midtown bar – not pavements, as we see in Fleabag, pounded alone with hot, angry tears dripping black lines down her face.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

One evening, I started crying quietly, little tears dripping out of my eyes and rolling down my cheeks.

Vice

One evening I started crying quietly, little tears dripping out of my eyes and rolling down my cheeks.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tears dripping down" to vividly portray sadness or emotional distress in writing. The image of tears falling adds a layer of depth to the description.

Common error

Avoid using "tears dripping down" in situations that don't warrant such strong imagery. Overusing it can make your writing seem melodramatic or insincere. Consider less intense alternatives like "tears welling up" or "eyes glistening with tears" for nuanced emotions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tears dripping down" functions primarily as a descriptive element, adding vivid detail to a scene or character experiencing strong emotion. Ludwig AI confirms that this expression is grammatically correct. The phrase paints a picture of visible sadness or distress.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "tears dripping down" is a grammatically sound and evocative way to describe someone crying, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While not exceptionally common, it effectively conveys sadness or emotional distress. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, it maintains a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using the phrase, be mindful of potential melodrama and consider less intense alternatives if nuance is desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Tears streaming down

Focuses on the continuous flow of tears.

Tears rolling down

Emphasizes the movement of tears along the face.

Tears flowing down

Similar to "tears streaming down", highlighting continuous flow.

Tears welling up and falling

Describes the build-up and subsequent fall of tears.

Crying with tears running down

Explicitly states the act of crying with tears visible.

Tears trickling down

Suggests a smaller, less intense flow of tears.

Tears coursing down

Implies a strong, emotional release of tears.

With tears in their eyes

Focuses more on the presence of tears than their movement.

Visibly upset with tears

Highlights visible emotion and the presence of tears.

Sobbing with tears

Describes the act of sobbing, which may or may not involve tears visibly flowing.

FAQs

How can I use "tears dripping down" in a sentence?

You can use "tears dripping down" to describe someone experiencing strong emotions like sadness, grief, or even joy. For instance: "As she heard the news, "tears dripping down" her face, she knew her life would never be the same."

What are some alternatives to saying "tears dripping down"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "tears streaming down", "tears rolling down", or "tears flowing down". Each option conveys a slightly different nuance of the emotional state.

Is it more correct to say "tears dripping down" or "tears dropping down"?

"Tears dripping down" is more commonly used and evokes a stronger image of the tears slowly falling. "Tears dropping down" is grammatically correct but less frequently used and less evocative.

What's the difference between "tears dripping down" and "crying"?

"Crying" is a general term for expressing sorrow or pain through tears. "Tears dripping down" is a more descriptive phrase that specifically highlights the physical manifestation of those tears falling on the face. Therefore, "tears dripping down" is a consequence of crying.