tears rolled down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tears rolled down" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of tears flowing down someone's face, often in emotional contexts such as sadness or joy. Example: "As she watched the heartbreaking scene unfold, tears rolled down her cheeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Tears rolled down her face.

The New York Times

Tears rolled down her cheeks.

The New York Times - Sports

And then the tears rolled down.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Tears rolled down cheeks all around before he concluded with some disquieting lines.

The New Yorker

Tears rolled down her cheeks; she did not wipe them away.

The New Yorker

He then said he is tired and closed his eyes and tears rolled down his cheek.

The Guardian

"Tears rolled down my face and I asked myself: 'Why is this happening to me?

The New York Times

As tears rolled down my face, I was confused as to what I was crying about.

The Guardian - Opinion

The gesture startled Julia and big tears rolled down her face.

The New Yorker

Tears rolled down faces lined from years of internalised pain and bitterness.

The Guardian - Opinion

Tears rolled down his cheeks, and several of his teammates were teary as well.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tears rolled down" to vividly depict a character's emotional state in your writing. Combine it with descriptive details about their facial expression or the surrounding environment for greater impact.

Common error

Avoid using "tears rolled down" excessively, especially in scenes that already convey strong emotion. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound cliché and undermine the scene's impact. Consider using more subtle cues like a change in tone or body language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tears rolled down" functions as a descriptive element, specifically an idiom, within a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. The phrase typically modifies a noun (often "cheeks", "face", or "eyes") to vividly depict the act of crying.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

11%

Science

11%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tears rolled down" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe someone crying, as validated by Ludwig. It's most frequently used in News & Media, and to a lesser extent, in Formal & Business and Science contexts. While versatile, it's important to avoid overuse to prevent your writing from sounding melodramatic. Consider alternatives like "tears streamed down" or "tears flowed" for variety. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase effectively conveys emotion and adds depth to narratives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tears streamed down

Emphasizes the continuous flow of tears, similar to "tears rolled down" but with a slightly stronger sense of volume.

tears flowed

A more general way to describe the act of crying, without specifying the path of the tears.

tears cascaded

Suggests a large quantity of tears falling rapidly, adding a sense of drama.

tears welled up and fell

Describes the process of tears forming and then dropping, highlighting the build-up of emotion.

tears trickled down

Indicates a slow, gentle flow of tears, suggesting a more subdued emotion.

crying uncontrollably

Focuses on the inability to stop crying, emphasizing the intensity of the emotion.

burst into tears

Describes a sudden onset of crying, emphasizing the unexpected release of emotion.

wept openly

Highlights the lack of restraint in crying, suggesting a raw and honest display of emotion.

sobs wracked their body

Focuses on the physical manifestation of crying, emphasizing the intensity of the emotion.

eyes filled with tears

Focuses on the eyes as the source of tears, and can be used to describe someone who is about to cry or who is trying to hold back tears.

FAQs

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

You can use "tears rolled down" to describe someone crying, for example: "As she heard the news, "tears rolled down" her cheeks."

What's a more descriptive alternative to "tears rolled down"?

Alternatives include "tears streamed down", "tears flowed", or "tears cascaded", each conveying a slightly different intensity or visual image.

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "tears rolled down"?

While grammatically correct, using "tears rolled down" too often can make writing seem melodramatic. Be mindful of the context and consider more subtle ways to express emotion.

Which is better, "tears rolled down" or "tears streamed down"?

Both are correct, but "tears streamed down" implies a heavier flow of tears, while ""tears rolled down"" suggests a more gentle or gradual descent.