well with tears

USAGE SUMMARY

"well with tears" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
The phrase is used to describe someone or something that is sad. For example, "The little girl found out she was moving away and she took the news well with tears streaming down her face."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

And Ray's eyes well with tears, too.

The New Yorker

They do not well with tears.

The Guardian

As they parted, Johnny's eyes appeared to well with tears.

The New York Times

His voice sounds harsh, accusing, but his eyes well with tears.

The New Yorker

His story pointing out the crescent on the tombstone of the fallen soldier made my eyes well with tears.

The New York Times

Hitchens is not faking his anguish at the boy's fate; his eyes well with tears as he talks about him.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Her eyes welled with tears.

The New York Times - Magazine

His eyes repeatedly welled with tears.

The New York Times

Suddenly, his eyes welled with tears.

The New York Times

But Ms. Noce's eyes welled with tears.

The New York Times

Anne Church, her eyes welling with tears.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In creative writing, use "well with tears" to create a powerful image that evokes empathy and connection with the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "well with tears" excessively, especially in scenes that are already heavily laden with emotional cues. Overusing the phrase can make the writing seem melodramatic or insincere, diluting its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "well with tears" primarily functions as a descriptive verb phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct, describing the state of someone's eyes filling with tears as a response to intense emotion. The examples from Ludwig illustrate this function in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

0%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "well with tears" is a grammatically sound and emotionally evocative expression used to depict the state of someone's eyes filling with tears. As verified by Ludwig AI, this phrase effectively conveys strong emotions, such as sadness or overwhelming feelings. Predominantly found in "News & Media" sources, it is used to enhance narratives and elicit empathy. While versatile, overuse can diminish its impact, making it essential to use it judiciously. Alternatives like "eyes filled with tears" or "on the verge of tears" can provide variety while maintaining emotional depth.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tears welled up in eyes

Focuses on the upward motion of tears before they spill.

eyes filled with tears

Highlights the physical manifestation of sadness in the eyes.

close to crying

Indicates being in a state where crying is likely or imminent.

about to cry

Focuses on the immediacy and anticipation of crying.

on the verge of tears

Emphasizes the imminence of crying, rather than the act itself.

fighting back tears

Suggests an effort to suppress the urge to cry.

brought to tears

Implies an external cause that induces crying.

moved to tears

Indicates being emotionally affected to the point of crying.

choked up

Describes the feeling of emotional constraint, often preceding tears.

tearful

A simple adjective describing a state of sadness or crying.

FAQs

How can I use "well with tears" in a sentence?

You can use "well with tears" to describe someone's emotional state when they are on the verge of crying. For example, "Her eyes began to "well with tears" as she recounted the story".

What does "well with tears" mean?

The phrase "well with tears" means that someone's eyes are filling with tears, usually because they are experiencing a strong emotion such as sadness, sympathy, or joy.

What are some synonyms for "well with tears"?

Some synonyms for "well with tears" include "eyes filled with tears", "on the verge of tears", or "tears welled up in eyes".

Is it more common to say "well with tears" or "welled with tears"?

Both "well with tears" and "welled with tears" are used, but "welled with tears" might be slightly more common. Examples from Ludwig show both are acceptable, and the choice often depends on the sentence structure and flow.