a vast river

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a vast river" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a river that is large in size or volume, often evoking imagery of grandeur or significance. Example: "As we stood on the bank, we marveled at the sight of a vast river flowing majestically through the landscape."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

The land area of the Netherlands includes a vast river delta formed by the Rhine and two other rivers.

MIT Technology Review

Its famous gritstone cap, abrasive icing on a sedimentary layer cake, began as infill of a vast river delta, a Ganges in north Derbyshire.

The Guardian

A vast river network that once carried water for hundreds of miles across Western Sahara has been discovered under the parched sands of Mauritania.

The Guardian

That would be disastrous for the world's poor, they said, since the foundation is only one stream in a vast river.

The New York Times

On Tuesday, they flooded out of town in a vast river of suffering, bedrolls and clothing bundles atop their heads, children toddling at their sides.

The New York Times

Suddenly and on impulse, I decided to keep going, driving onward toward Tuba City and then north to Kayenta, through a landscape of what I have since learned was a vast river flood plain in a time before time.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Following its course and that of the Casiquiare, they proved that the Casiquiare River formed a connection between the vast river systems of the Amazon and the Orinoco.

Encyclopedia Britannica

'Unleashing onIC' on the global fossil fuel market means throwing a coin in the vast river of financial flows fossil fuels enjoy.

Huffington Post

Meanwhile the vast river spreads out behind, a view gradually blocked by a second pair of gates.

The New York Times

And then, in a battered yellow taxi, it's back across the vast river Niger to the south side of town to a studio kept by a white rasta and reggae producer called Manjul.

The Guardian - Music

Mrs. Douglas saw the glades as a vast shallow river, flowing slowly southward.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a vast river" to evoke a sense of grandeur and scale when describing a river. It's particularly effective in descriptive writing and narratives where the river's size is a significant element of the scene.

Common error

Avoid using "a vast river" in technical or scientific reports where precise measurements are more appropriate. Instead, provide specific data on the river's width, depth, or flow rate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a vast river" functions as a noun phrase, where "vast" is an adjective modifying the noun "river". As demonstrated by Ludwig, it typically serves to describe a river of considerable size and scale.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a vast river" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to depict a river of considerable size. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent usage across various domains, particularly in news media, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts. While interchangeable with similar terms like "a large river" or "an immense river", it's best suited for descriptive purposes, where its evocative power can truly shine. Remember to avoid overuse in situations needing precise measurements, and instead, favor concrete data.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an immense river

Emphasizes the river's exceptional size, focusing on its scale.

an extensive river

Highlights the river's considerable reach and range.

a wide river

Focuses on the breadth of the river's surface.

a large river

A more general term indicating significant size, without specifying dimension.

a mighty river

Adds a sense of power and impressiveness to the description.

a great river

Implies both size and importance.

an expansive river

Highlights the wide-ranging nature and openness of the river.

an enormous river

Similar to "immense", but possibly suggesting greater scale.

a colossal river

Emphasizes the river's extraordinary size and impact.

an immeasurable river

Suggests the river's size is so great it cannot be easily quantified.

FAQs

How can I use "a vast river" in a sentence?

You can use "a vast river" to describe a large and expansive river, such as: "The Amazon is "a vast river" that flows through South America."

What are some alternatives to "a vast river"?

Some alternatives include "an immense river", "a wide river", or "a large river", depending on the specific aspect you want to emphasize.

Is it more appropriate to say "a vast river" or "a large river"?

"A vast river" suggests a more expansive and impressive scale than "a large river". The choice depends on the specific image you want to convey. Both "a vast river" and "a large river" are correct.

Can "a vast river" be used metaphorically?

Yes, "a vast river" can be used metaphorically to describe something expansive and continuous, such as "a vast river of information" flowing through the internet.