As Anna was peeling potatoes

[Bassim]

I am wondering if my sentence sounds natural.

As Anna was peeling potatoes for lunch, she recalled her late mother, who died in cancer recently, and tears sprang into her eyes.

 

[teechar]

who died in cancer recently

Make two changes to the above.

 

[Bassim]

Here is my second try:

As Anna was peeling potatoes for lunch, she recalled her late mother, who had died of cancer recently, and tears sprang into her eyes.

 

[jutfrank]

I gather from a quick search that the phrase tears sprang into her eyes is commonly used, but to my ear it sounds awful.

 

[Bassim]

jutfrank,

Should I write instead:

"Tears filled her eyes.

 

[jutfrank]

Should I write instead: "Tears filled her eyes.

In my opinion, that's much better.

 

[emsr2d2]

You can also use something like "... she started to well up".