Inundation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Inundation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is overwhelmed or flooded, often used in contexts related to water or excessive amounts of something. Example: "The inundation of the town after the heavy rains caused significant damage to homes and infrastructure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The storm hit at high tide so "large parts of the northeast Arnhem coast have likely experienced some inundation from the storm surge and also the large waves around those coastal areas," bureau of meteorology regional director, Todd Smith, told media on Sunday afternoon.

The Guardian

The spectacular inundation in Pakistan last August also fits the pattern.In Pakistan things may have been particularly bad because this La Niña, unlike many, turned up straight after an El Niño, which tends to leave temperatures in the Indian Ocean high.

The Economist

In his "Travels through Syria and Egypt", Count Constantine Volney, a French orientalist, wrote that "the [Nile] inundation of 1783 was not sufficient, great part of the lands therefore could not be sown for want of being watered.

The Economist

The inundation might be even worse than in 2005, when Poles and other eastern Europeans gained the right to work.

The Economist

Only through continual pumping of the water-table has the threat of inundation been kept largely at bay.

The Economist

Moreover, many of the bad consequences of dams can be avoided if the right policies are followed: silting can be slowed by sensible water releases, forestry inundation prevented by clearing trees, salmon accommodated by building fish ladders, people resettled in better places, and so on.And then there is electricity.

The Economist

And nurses handed out plastic wallets for immunisation cards, so that they will not get wet come the next inundation.

The Economist

A tenth of all houses are now believed at risk of inundation.

The Economist

In the long run, despite dire warnings of humanitarian and economic costs, it appears Pakistan did not suffer too greatly from that inundation.

The Economist

Models developed by Vasily Titov, at NOAA, and Costas Synolakis, at the University of Southern California, can predict the size and shape of the waves that will be generated by a particular tsunami, as well as the resulting coastal inundation.

The Economist

There will be more droughts and more floods (like the inundation east Africa is now facing), one exacerbating the other: animals overgraze in dry spells, letting more topsoil wash away during heavy rains.Will anything make rich countries focus on these risks?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "inundation" to describe situations where a large amount of water or other substance covers an area, often with a disruptive or destructive impact. It is suitable for both literal and metaphorical contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "inundation" when a milder term like "flooding" or "overflow" would be more appropriate. "Inundation" implies a significant and often overwhelming event.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "inundation" is as a noun. It refers to the act of flooding or the state of being flooded, as illustrated in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

31%

News & Media

29%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "Inundation" is a grammatically sound noun that describes the state of being flooded or overwhelmed. Ludwig's AI confirms its proper usage in English. "Inundation" is frequently found in formal contexts like encyclopedias, news reports, and scientific articles, implying a severe and impactful event. While it's an appropriate term, consider alternatives like "flooding" or "deluge" depending on the context. Using "inundation" correctly involves understanding its implication of a significant and often disruptive overflow.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Flooding

A more common and general term referring to an overflow of water onto normally dry land.

Deluge

Implies a heavy and sudden downpour or a great flood, often with destructive consequences.

Overflow

Suggests that something is filled beyond its capacity, resulting in spillage.

Submergence

Refers to the state of being completely covered with water or another liquid.

Saturation

Indicates a state of being completely soaked or filled to capacity.

Overwhelming

Signifies being overpowered by a large quantity or force of something.

Swamping

Suggests being overloaded or overcome, often in a figurative sense.

Engulfment

Implies being completely surrounded or swallowed up by something.

Surge

Refers to a sudden powerful forward movement, like a wave or a crowd.

Rise

A gradual increase in the level of something, such as water or prices.

FAQs

How is "inundation" typically used in a sentence?

"Inundation" is often used to describe a situation where an area is flooded with water or overwhelmed by something. For example, "The coastal city faced severe "inundation due to" the hurricane."

What words can I use instead of "inundation"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "inundation" include "flooding", "deluge", "overflow", or "submergence".

What's the difference between "flooding" and "inundation"?

"Flooding" is a more general term for water covering land, while "inundation" implies a more extensive and often overwhelming flood. "Inundation" suggests a more severe and impactful event than simple "flooding".

Is it correct to use "inundation" metaphorically?

Yes, "inundation" can be used metaphorically to describe being overwhelmed by a large amount of something, like information or requests. For instance, "The company faced an "inundation of" complaints after the product launch."