a drop of water

USAGE SUMMARY

'a drop of water' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a very small amount of water, for example: He carefully touched a drop of water with his finger.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Each icon is contained in a drop of water.

The New York Times

"A Drop of Water: A Book of Science and Wonder," Walter Wick (Scholastic).

The New York Times - Science

– Stormbreaker Show Holmes a drop of water and he would deduce the existence of the Atlantic.

The Guardian

Add a drop of water to the arrowroot, then whisk into the pan.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"The idea is not to let even a drop of water escape the land.

The Guardian

"Since then we haven't had a drop of water in the streets," he said.

The New York Times

(There was not a drop of water on it!) Yes, I believe the dolphins are smart.

The New York Times - Science

For a whole month, I did not have a drop of water on my body.

The Guardian

Never a tree, never a drop of water; just sun and dust".

The New York Times - Travel

Beneath them, TIGER WOODS feels a drop of water land on his shoulder.

The New Yorker

"The basement was bone dry, not a drop of water," he reported.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a drop of water" to describe extremely small quantities of water, whether literally or figuratively, in both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "a drop of water" in metaphors where a more vivid or specific image would be more impactful. For example, instead of saying "his contribution was just a drop of water in the ocean", consider "his contribution was a mere ripple in the vast ocean".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a drop of water" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatically correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

34%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a drop of water" is a common noun phrase used to describe a very small quantity of water, both literally and figuratively. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific writing. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Science. When considering alternative expressions, options like "a tiny amount of water" or "a droplet of water" can be used depending on the desired nuance. Be cautious of overusing it in metaphorical contexts where a more descriptive image would be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a droplet of water

Synonymous, but uses a slightly more scientific or technical term.

a tiny amount of water

Replaces the idiomatic "drop" with a more literal description of quantity and uses the more descriptive adjective.

a bead of water

Emphasizes the spherical shape of a small water quantity, similar to a drop.

a small quantity of water

Substitutes "drop" with "small quantity", emphasizing the limited amount, making it slightly more formal.

a spot of water

Highlights the presence of a small, localized amount of water.

a trace of water

Focuses on the minimal presence of water, implying an almost negligible amount.

a hint of water

Suggests an even smaller, less detectable amount of water.

a splash of water

Implies a slightly larger, more active presence of water compared to a static drop.

a trickle of water

Suggests a continuous, albeit small, flow of water rather than a discrete drop.

a modicum of water

Replaces the common term with a more formal and less frequent synonym.

FAQs

How can I use "a drop of water" in a sentence?

You can use "a drop of water" to refer to a very small amount of liquid, or metaphorically to indicate something insignificant. For example, "He added just "a drop of water" to the mixture", or "Her efforts were like "a drop of water" in the desert, barely making a difference".

What can I say instead of "a drop of water"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "a tiny amount of water", "a trace of water", or "a droplet of water".

Is it always literal when using "a drop of water"?

No, "a drop of water" can be used both literally, to describe an actual small amount of water, and figuratively, to represent something small and insignificant. The intended meaning depends on the context.

What is the significance of the phrase "a drop of water" in different cultures?

In some cultures, especially those in arid regions, ""a drop of water"" is considered incredibly precious, as exemplified by the Turkmen proverb ""a drop of water" is a grain of gold".