a dripping faucet

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a dripping faucet" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a faucet that is leaking water continuously, often in a household context. Example: "The sound of a dripping faucet kept me awake all night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

Other sounds — a dripping faucet or a noisy TV — also help you get around.

The New Yorker

You need only find a leaking gutter or a dripping faucet.

The Washington Post

Second, annoyances are unpredictable – a dripping faucet, stop-start traffic, a persistent sniffle.

The Guardian - Opinion

And some people use the Internet to report a dripping faucet.

The New York Times

It was soft but incessant, and against the background silence, as maddening as a dripping faucet at 3 a.m.

The New York Times

On one side of the screen, a drop of water falls on his head, as from a dripping faucet.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

The fountain features several cat-friendly details, including a steady rush of water that is (hopefully) as alluring as any dripping faucet or flushing toilet.

TechCrunch

Geoffrey C. Ryan, a spokesman for the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, said a steadily dripping faucet can send 180 gallons of water down the drain each day while a leaking toilet can waste 250 gallons.

The New York Times

Neon signs for defunct businesses, including one depicting a plumbing supplier's dripping faucet, have been installed in a park near the waterfront in Saginaw, Mich.

The New York Times - Arts

A planned community usually comes with a maintenance infrastructure, making it easier to find someone to fix a broken pipe or dripping faucet when you're there and to take care of emergencies when you're not.

Huffington Post

If your faucets drip, get them fixed, or, if you can't fix it right away, at least put a container under the dripping faucet and use the water elsewhere, such as in your garden to water plants.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a dripping faucet" when describing a minor but persistent annoyance or waste, as the image evokes a sense of constant, irritating loss. For example, "Ignoring small expenses is like ignoring "a dripping faucet": the costs add up over time."

Common error

Avoid using "a dripping faucet" as a metaphor in every situation. While it's a vivid image, overuse can dilute its impact. Choose more specific and powerful metaphors when the situation demands. Be careful when it comes to overusing the same metaphor as that makes the whole essay dull and insipid.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "a dripping faucet" is as a noun phrase, where "dripping" acts as a participle adjective modifying the noun "faucet". As Ludwig AI points out, it's used to describe a specific type of faucet based on its action.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

12%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a dripping faucet" is a common and grammatically correct phrase often used to describe a leaky faucet. According to Ludwig, it also serves as a metaphor for persistent annoyances or wasted resources. While versatile, it's important to consider context and avoid overuse in metaphorical senses. Ludwig's analysis of numerous sources confirms its frequent use in news, academic writing, and general contexts. Alternatives like "a leaky faucet" or "a dripping tap" can be considered for variety. The key is to ensure that your writing is both clear and impactful, using "a dripping faucet" when it truly enhances the message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a leaky faucet

Replaces 'dripping' with 'leaky', focusing on the leak rather than the action of dripping.

a faucet that drips

Changes the structure to a relative clause, emphasizing the faucet's characteristic.

a dripping tap

Substitutes 'faucet' with 'tap', a common synonym, especially in British English.

a tap that drips

Similar to 'a faucet that drips', using 'tap' instead of 'faucet'.

a leaky tap

Combines 'leaky' with 'tap', offering a concise alternative.

a constantly dripping faucet

Adds 'constantly' to highlight the continuous nature of the dripping.

a continuously dripping faucet

Emphasizes the ongoing action with 'continuously'.

a faucet with a drip

Focuses on the 'drip' as a characteristic of the faucet.

a faucet that is dripping

Expands to a full verb phrase, clarifying the present continuous action.

water dripping from a faucet

Describes the water's action, shifting the focus slightly from the faucet itself.

FAQs

How can I use "a dripping faucet" in a sentence?

You can use "a dripping faucet" to describe a literal plumbing issue, or metaphorically to represent a persistent annoyance or wasted resource. For example: "The sound of "a dripping faucet" kept me awake all night", or "Ignoring those small recurring expenses is like ignoring "a dripping faucet".

What can I say instead of "a dripping faucet"?

You can use alternatives like "a leaky faucet", "a faucet that drips", or "a dripping tap" depending on the context and desired nuance.

Is it correct to say 'a dripped faucet' instead of "a dripping faucet"?

No, 'a dripped faucet' is not grammatically correct. The correct term is "a dripping faucet", where 'dripping' is a present participle acting as an adjective, describing the faucet's action of dripping.

What's the difference between "a dripping faucet" and "a running faucet"?

"A dripping faucet" refers to a faucet that is leaking slowly, one drop at a time. "A running faucet" implies a continuous flow of water, often because it has been left on.