tears running down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase “tears running down” is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an emotional reaction or the physical act of crying. For example, “She was so overwhelmed with emotion that tears were running down her face.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 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

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

The New York Times

Lest you want BLACK TEARS running down your cheeks, go with minimal eye makeup.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Most were women, shrouded in black head scarves, some with tears running down their faces.

The New York Times

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

The New York Times

Site member OrliTheBookworm agrees: it's an incredibly moving book that had me up all night, tears running down my cheeks.

The Guardian

We were the ones standing in the streets with tears running down our faces chanting 'we want change' not those loose moral liars.

University of California, Berkeley

Overall, this is an incredibly moving book that had me up all night, tears running down my cheeks.

The Guardian

"I sat watching on our little black and white television with tears running down my cheeks," she told me.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We all stood there with tears running down our cheeks.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tears running down" to vividly portray a character's emotional state, adding depth and empathy to your narrative. For example, "With "tears running down", she recounted the story of hardship and survival."

Common error

Avoid stating the obvious by combining "tears running down" with overly descriptive modifiers. For example, instead of saying 'hot "tears running down" her face', consider that tears are often perceived as hot when associated with strong emotion; simply using "tears running down" suffices.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tears running down" functions as a descriptive phrase, often adjectival, modifying a noun or pronoun to illustrate a character's emotional state. Ludwig examples demonstrate its usage across various media, vividly portraying sadness, grief, or intense emotion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tears running down" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, predominantly found in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It effectively serves to depict emotional states, evoking empathy by vividly illustrating the flow of tears. When using this phrase, focus on avoiding redundancy and consider alternative expressions like ""crying with tears streaming"" or ""eyes filled with tears trickling"" for varied expression. By understanding its purpose and potential pitfalls, writers can effectively utilize "tears running down" to enhance their narratives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

crying with tears streaming

Emphasizes the continuous flow of tears during crying.

weeping with tears flowing

Highlights the act of weeping alongside the movement of tears.

sobbing with tears cascading

Focuses on the intensity of sobbing and the heavy flow of tears.

eyes filled with tears trickling

Highlights the slow, gentle movement of tears from the eyes.

bawling with tears coursing

Emphasizes loud crying with tears following a path.

tears welling up and spilling

Describes the process of tears forming and overflowing.

face wet with falling tears

Highlights the physical sensation of tears on the face.

eyes brimming with tears overflowing

Focuses on the fullness of tears before they spill.

crying inconsolably with tears gushing

Emphasizes intense sadness and a forceful flow of tears.

tears escaping down the face

Focuses on the involuntary nature of tears flowing.

FAQs

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

You can use "tears running down" to vividly depict someone's emotional state. For example: "Despite his stoicism, tears were running down his face as he listened to the heartfelt eulogy."

What are some alternatives to "tears running down"?

Alternatives include phrases like "crying with tears streaming", "eyes filled with tears trickling", or "sobbing with tears cascading", each emphasizing a slightly different aspect of crying.

Is it more appropriate to say "tears running down" or "tears rolling down"?

Both "tears running down" and "tears rolling down" are correct and commonly used. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. "Tears running down" suggests a more continuous flow, while "tears rolling down" might imply individual droplets following a path.

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

"Crying" is the act of shedding tears, while "tears running down" describes the physical manifestation of tears flowing down the face. You can "be crying with tears running down", because the phrases are perfectly compatible.