tears welled up

USAGE SUMMARY

"tears welled up" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe the physical action of tears filling or rising up in the eyes, often as a result of strong emotions. Example: As she listened to her father's eulogy, tears welled up in Elizabeth's eyes, threatening to spill over at any moment.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

The tears welled up again.

The New York Times - Sports

Tears welled up in her eyes.

The New Yorker

Tears welled up as she ran her hands over them.

The New York Times

Tears welled up in his eyes and his throat tightened.

The Guardian - Sport

When the deal was signed, tears welled up in Mario's eyes.

The New Yorker

He smiled and tears welled up in the corners of his eyes.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

She started to cry, tears welling up on glue-on eyelashes.

The New York Times

Mr. Collins clicked through photo after photo, tears welling up in his eyes.

The New York Times

"Oddly, I was kind of relieved," she said, tears welling up in her eyes.

The New York Times

"It's taken it out of me," she says, with tears welling up in her eyes.

The Guardian

Two minutes always means an hour!" I felt tears welling up in my eyes.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tears welled up" to vividly describe the onset of an emotional reaction, particularly when emphasizing a contained or suppressed feeling.

Common error

Avoid using "tears welled up" excessively in writing that already conveys strong emotions; subtlety can sometimes be more impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tears welled up" functions as a descriptive verb phrase, depicting the physical manifestation of an emotional state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a common phrase used to illustrate the onset of crying. Examples show it used to describe reactions to both sadness and happiness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Formal & Business

9%

Science

9%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tears welled up" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the physical sensation of tears beginning to form in someone's eyes due to strong emotions. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely accepted and used. Predominantly found in news and media sources, its neutral register makes it suitable for conveying emotional responses without being overly sentimental. When using this phrase, consider the context to avoid melodrama and aim for impactful, yet subtle, emotional conveyance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eyes filled with tears

Focuses on the result of the emotional state, emphasizing the eyes being full.

tears came to their eyes

Highlights the action of tears appearing in the eyes.

started to tear up

Emphasizes the beginning of the crying process.

eyes began to water

Describes the physiological response of the eyes producing tears.

on the verge of tears

Indicates being close to crying, but not yet actually crying.

close to tears

Similar to 'on the verge of tears', indicating an imminent emotional release.

eyes brimming with tears

Highlights the eyes being full to the point of overflowing.

tears gathered in their eyes

Focuses on the collection of tears within the eyes.

felt tears coming

Describes the sensation of impending tears.

choked up

Indicates a feeling of emotional constriction, often leading to tears.

FAQs

How can I use "tears welled up" in a sentence?

The phrase "tears welled up" is used to describe the physical sensation of tears gathering in someone's eyes, typically due to strong emotion. For example, "As she listened to the heartfelt speech, "tears welled up" in her eyes".

What are some alternatives to "tears welled up"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "eyes filled with tears", "started to tear up", or "eyes began to water" to express a similar meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to say "tears welled up in her eyes"?

Yes, "tears welled up in her eyes" is grammatically correct and a common way to phrase the idea. The phrase "tears welled up" already implies the location, so it's acceptable to say either ""tears welled up"" or "tears welled up in her eyes".

What's the difference between "tears welled up" and "tears streamed down"?

"Tears welled up" describes the initial gathering of tears in the eyes, while "tears streamed down" indicates that the tears are overflowing and running down the face. The first phrase suggests a build-up of emotion, while the second suggests a release.