a load of water

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a load of water" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to describe a large quantity of water, often in a literal sense or metaphorically to imply excess or abundance. Example: "After the heavy rain, there was a load of water pooling in the backyard."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Appearance: A load of water, surrounded by even more water.

The Guardian

I ate little for two days, practiced hard and drank a load of water.

The New York Times - Sports

Pictures of me where my face was swelling, I had water retention – where you have filler your face draws up a load of water.

The Guardian

They can alight on lakes, scoop up a load of water into their hulls in a few seconds, and dump it over the fires.

The New York Times

Gino D'Acampo mooing 'til he's hoarse at a load of water buffalo and then going "look at the way they listen to me".

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

After a loading of water labeled with deuterium plus the stable isotope oxygen-18 (DLW mixture), the tracers rapidly equilibrate in body water.

American Journal of Epidemiology

Once the rescue shaft was secure, workers had planned to send a load of food, water and medical supplies below and take some readings of the environment.

The New York Times

That's what my grandmother would have politely referred to as a load of bilge water.

Forbes

Is it true that you can cure gonorrhoea by just swilling a load of salt water around in your mouth?

Vice

As he opened the door to say hi, I coughed and shat out a load of poo water into my underwear.

Vice

As he opens the door to say hi, I coughed and shat out a load of poo water into my underwear.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a load of water" in a metaphorical sense, ensure the context clearly conveys the intended meaning, such as "a load of responsibilities."

Common error

Avoid using "a load of water" when you simply mean "water". The phrase often implies a significant quantity or a problem related to excessive water.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a load of water" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig AI shows it denotes a substantial quantity of water, often in a physical or literal sense.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a load of water" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a substantial quantity of water. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts. While "a load of" can be used metaphorically, in this case, it typically refers to literal water. Its frequency is uncommon, appearing primarily in news, media and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, be mindful of its connotations of quantity, and consider alternatives like "a large amount of water" or "lots of water" depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a large amount of water

Replaces "load" with a more generic quantifier, maintaining the meaning of quantity.

a great deal of water

Similar to "a large amount", emphasizing a significant quantity.

plenty of water

Indicates an abundant supply of water is available.

lots of water

An informal way of saying "a large amount of water".

a deluge of water

Implies a sudden and overwhelming influx of water.

a flood of water

Similar to "deluge", suggesting an overflowing amount of water.

a surge of water

Highlights a sudden and powerful rush of water.

a tankful of water

Specifies the quantity in terms of a full tank.

a bucketful of water

Specifies the quantity in terms of a full bucket.

a reservoir of water

Specifies a large amount of water being held in reserve.

FAQs

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

You can use "a load of water" to describe a large quantity of water, as in "The firefighters dumped "a load of water" on the burning building".

What's a less formal way to say "a load of water"?

Less formal alternatives include "lots of water" or "plenty of water".

Is it correct to use "a load of water" to describe something other than liquid?

Yes, "a load of" can be used metaphorically to describe a large amount of something, but it's more common with countable nouns. Using it with non-countable nouns like "water" is typically literal.

What's the difference between "a load of water" and "a lot of water"?

The phrases are largely interchangeable, both indicating a significant quantity. "A load of water" might subtly suggest a heavy or burdensome amount, depending on context.