tears ran down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tears ran down" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in a sentence to describe a person shedding tears, such as "Tears ran down his face as he said his goodbyes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

Tears ran down her cheeks.

The New York Times

Scott laughed until tears ran down his cheeks.

The New Yorker

Tears ran down the cheeks of all concerned.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

And he didn't just get misty-eyed: the tears ran down his cheeks.

University of California, Berkeley

Tears ran down his cheeks and dripped onto his fingers on the table.

The New Yorker

At their temporary apartment, she cleaned the tea set, and tears ran down her cheeks as she soaked it in soapy water.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Glycerin tears running down ladies' cheeks.

The New Yorker

He wiped the tears running down both cheeks with tissues.

The New York Times - Sports

The tears run down my cheeks and the tears run down his cheeks and the next thing I know, he has wangled another $50 million out of me".

The New York Times

He had tears running down his cheeks and he was pounding his fist against the glass.

The New York Times

Tears running down their faces, relatives shared their grief along with the funeral pyres.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tears ran down" to depict a visible expression of sadness, grief, or intense emotion in a narrative. This phrase often adds emotional depth to the description.

Common error

Avoid using "tears ran down" excessively, as it can become cliché. Vary your descriptions of crying with other phrases that capture the emotional state more subtly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tears ran down" functions primarily as a descriptive element within a narrative. It paints a vivid picture of someone experiencing strong emotions, where the tears are a physical manifestation of their feelings. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tears ran down" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase, primarily found in narrative writing, especially within the News & Media sector. According to Ludwig AI, its role is to vividly depict the physical act of crying and convey deep emotions. While effective, it should be used judiciously to avoid sentimentality. Alternative phrases like "tears streamed down" or "tears flowed down" can offer subtle variations in meaning. Remember, the goal is to connect with the reader through genuine and compelling language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tears streamed down

Emphasizes a continuous flow of tears.

tears flowed down

Similar to "streamed", highlighting the smooth movement of tears.

tears rolled down

Focuses on the individual droplets and their path.

tears coursed down

Implies a forceful and rapid flow of tears.

tears trickled down

Suggests a slow, gentle flow of tears.

tears welled up and ran down

Adds the initial emotional build-up before the tears fall.

eyes filled with tears

Focuses on the eyes as the source of the tears.

sobs wracked their body

Shifts the focus to the physical act of crying.

they broke down in tears

Focuses on emotional collapse leading to tears.

they were overcome with emotion

Highlights the intense emotion that causes the tears.

FAQs

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

You can use "tears ran down" to describe someone crying, such as "tears ran down her face as she listened to the news" or "tears ran down his cheeks during the emotional scene".

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

Alternatives include phrases like "tears streamed down", "tears flowed down", or "tears rolled down", each offering a slightly different nuance in describing the act of crying.

Is it grammatically correct to say "tears run down" instead of "tears ran down"?

While "tears ran down" is in the past tense, "tears run down" would be used in the present tense to describe a habitual or ongoing action. For example, "tears run down my face whenever I chop onions".

What's the difference between "tears ran down" and "she cried"?

"Tears ran down" describes the physical manifestation of crying, focusing on the tears themselves. "She cried" is a more general statement indicating that someone is in the act of crying. "Tears ran down" provides a more vivid and descriptive image.