tears start to flow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'tears start to flow' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a moment when someone begins to cry. For example: When the singer completed her performance, tears started to flow from her eyes.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"The tears start to flow, and I hear gasps in the first ten rows.

The New Yorker

And only then did my tears start to flow.

Huffington Post

When the tears start to flow, don't resist them.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Hence, the tears started to flow.

The New York Times

That's when the tears started to flow.

The New Yorker

Caucus members clearly rejoice in Mr. Obama's election; many can describe exactly when and why their tears started to flow on election night.

The New York Times

On seeing his reaction to this shiny, beige mess I laughed a little hysterically until, unexpectedly, the tears started to flow as I wondered how I had become so appalling at life.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

AT the Terminal 8 food court of Kennedy International Airport, over a breakfast of Coca-Cola and greasy Chinese noodles, Miho Mimura slipped her hand into her new American boyfriend's and the tears started to flow.

The New York Times

And the tears started to flow.

Huffington Post

I didn't notice her fragility until the tears started to flow.

Huffington Post

Soon tears started to flow down Jimmy's cheeks and he said, 'I'll do it.'".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tears start to flow" to vividly depict the immediate onset of crying, emphasizing the transition from suppressing emotions to openly expressing them. It's particularly effective in narratives where the character is experiencing a strong emotional trigger.

Common error

Avoid using "tears start to flow" in every scene involving sadness. Overusing the phrase can make your writing seem melodramatic. Instead, vary your descriptions of emotional expression to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tears start to flow" functions primarily as a descriptive expression, depicting the physical manifestation of emotion, specifically the onset of crying. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tears start to flow" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the onset of crying, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's most frequently used in news and media, as well as general writing, to depict emotional moments and evoke empathy. While versatile, it's important to avoid overuse, opting for varied descriptions of emotional expression. Consider related phrases such as "eyes well up with tears" or "sobs erupt" to add nuance to your writing. Ludwig provides multiple real-world examples to guide its effective use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tears begin to well

Focuses on the initial stage where tears form in the eyes, preceding the actual flowing.

eyes well up with tears

Highlights the eyes filling with tears as the primary visual indicator of impending crying.

crying commences

Uses a more formal term for 'starts' to describe the beginning of crying.

the floodgates open

Emphasizes a sudden and uncontrollable release of tears.

emotions surface

Focuses on the underlying emotions that lead to the tears, rather than the tears themselves.

sobs erupt

Highlights the physical manifestation of crying, with audible sobs.

grief pours out

Specifies the emotion (grief) as the reason for the tears.

a wave of sadness washes over

Describes the overwhelming feeling of sadness that triggers the tears.

be overcome with emotion

Focuses on the feeling that brings the crying, without necessarily saying tears were shed.

start to weep

Uses the word "weep" as a synonym for crying, indicating a quieter form of emotional expression.

FAQs

How can I use "tears start to flow" in a sentence?

This phrase describes the beginning of crying. For example: "When she heard the news, "tears start to flow" down her cheeks."

What are some alternatives to saying "tears start to flow"?

Consider alternatives like "eyes well up with tears", "tears begin to well", or "sobs erupt depending" on the specific emotional context you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "tears start to flow" or "tears started to flow"?

The choice depends on the tense of your sentence. Use "tears start to flow" for present tense, such as describing a general tendency. Use "tears started to flow" for past tense, describing a specific event in the past.

What emotions typically cause tears to start flowing?

Tears can start flowing due to various intense emotions, including sadness, joy, relief, and even frustration. The specific emotion depends on the context of the situation.