there were tears

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there were tears" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is a common way to express the presence of tears in a particular situation. Example: During the funeral, there were tears streaming down the faces of the mourners as they said their final goodbyes to the beloved deceased.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

In case there were tears, I turned away quickly.

The New Yorker

All over the world there were tears at bedtime.

The Guardian - Books

Like all good love affairs there were tears.

Huffington Post

There were tears.

The New York Times

Mostly, there were tears.

The New York Times - Sports

There were tears and whispers.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Of course there were tears.

The Guardian - Sport

There were tears, and anger.

The Guardian

There were tears in his eyes.

The New Yorker

That time, she said, there were tears.

The New York Times - Sports

There were tears before bedtime (at 2am).

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "there were tears" to clearly and directly convey the presence of sadness or emotional distress in a narrative or description. It is suitable for various contexts, providing a straightforward way to depict emotional responses.

Common error

Avoid using "there were tears" excessively in melodramatic or sentimental writing. In such contexts, explore other literary devices, such as vivid imagery or metaphorical language, to convey emotion more subtly and powerfully, maintaining reader engagement without resorting to cliché.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there were tears" functions as an existential clause, asserting the existence or presence of tears. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used to express sadness or emotional distress.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "there were tears" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to indicate the presence of sadness or emotional distress. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and widespread use. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the phrase functions as an existential clause, conveying information about emotional states. While versatile, it is important to avoid overuse in overly dramatic writing and consider more nuanced alternatives like "tears flowed" or "eyes welled up with tears" for greater impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tears flowed

Focuses on the act of crying, emphasizing the continuous flow of tears.

there was crying

Shifts the focus to the act of crying rather than the tears themselves.

tears were present

A more formal way of stating that tears existed in the situation.

eyes welled up with tears

Highlights the physical reaction of eyes filling with tears.

there was sadness

Generalizes the emotion present, indicating sorrow that may or may not involve tears.

people wept

Emphasizes the act of weeping by a group of people.

emotions ran high

Indicates a situation of intense feelings, which could include sadness and tears.

hearts were heavy

Suggests a feeling of sorrow and burden, which might lead to tears.

a somber mood prevailed

Describes a serious and melancholic atmosphere, hinting at the possibility of tears.

grief was palpable

Indicates an overwhelming sense of grief that could be expressed through tears.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "there were tears" in a sentence?

To effectively use "there were tears", ensure the context supports the expression of sadness or strong emotion. For example, "After the heartfelt speech, there were tears in the audience's eyes."

What are some alternatives to saying "there were tears"?

You can use alternatives like "tears flowed", "there was crying", or "eyes welled up with tears" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "there were tears" formal or informal?

"There were tears" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, the surrounding language and situation will further define the overall tone.

How does "there were tears" differ from "there were cries"?

"There were tears" specifically indicates the presence of tears, suggesting sadness or emotional distress. "There were cries", on the other hand, refers to vocal expressions of emotion, which could include sadness, pain, or even joy. The phrase "there were cries" suggests more audible and potentially disruptive emotional expression.