an aqueous solution

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an aqueous solution" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in scientific contexts, particularly in chemistry, to describe a solution in which water is the solvent. Example: "To prepare the experiment, we need to mix the solute with an aqueous solution."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If the solutes are in an aqueous solution, an organic solvent that is immiscible with water is added.

Britannica

Some familiar emulsions are milk (a dispersion of fat droplets in an aqueous solution) and butter (a dispersion of droplets of an aqueous solution in fat).

Britannica

The SiO2 substrate was etched off by an aqueous solution of 2% hydrofluoric acid.

Nature

PEO was removed from the matrix by washing in an aqueous solution.

Nature

A lipid vesicle artificially formed by sonicating lipids in an aqueous solution.

Nature

Its resonant frequency and quality factor in an aqueous solution are ~600 kHz and ~2, respectively.

Nature

Alums can easily be produced by precipitation from an aqueous solution.

Britannica

It is administered orally in tablets and syrups and intramuscularly in an aqueous solution.

Britannica

All chemical shifts were referenced to an aqueous solution of 5 M MgCl2 at 0 p.p.m.

Nature

Transferable ZnO tetrapods were grown by an aqueous solution method.

Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical

Carbon nanotubes are normally hydrophobic, which means they repel water, making them hard to disperse evenly in an aqueous solution.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing scientific reports, clearly state the concentration of the solute in the "aqueous solution" to ensure reproducibility.

Common error

Avoid vague references to "an aqueous solution" without specifying the solute's concentration. Always include concentration details for clarity and precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an aqueous solution" functions primarily as a noun phrase, serving to identify a specific type of solution. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

73%

Encyclopedias

13%

News & Media

8%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an aqueous solution" is a grammatically correct and highly frequent noun phrase, predominantly used within scientific, encyclopedic, and news-related contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to denote a solution in which water serves as the solvent. Best practices involve specifying solute concentrations, while common errors include omitting these details. Related phrases include ""water-based solution"" and ""solution in water"". The phrase maintains a formal and scientific register, reflecting its use in expert communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a water-based solution

Replaces "aqueous" with its direct synonym "water-based", simplifying the wording.

a solution in water

Rephrases the concept to explicitly state that water is the solvent.

a water solution

A more concise, though slightly less formal, way of saying "an aqueous solution".

a watery solution

Uses a more informal adjective "watery" to describe the solution.

a solution where water is the solvent

Specifies the role of water as the solvent in the solution.

a water-containing solution

Highlights the presence of water as a key component of the solution.

a hydrated solution

Emphasizes the presence of water in the solution, implying hydration of the solute.

a liquid solution containing water

Adds "liquid" to specify the physical state and explicitly mentions the presence of water.

a solution prepared with water

Focuses on the preparation method, emphasizing the use of water.

a fluid solution with water

Uses "fluid" to describe the solution, emphasizing it is a liquid and also explicitly mentioning water.

FAQs

How is "an aqueous solution" typically used in scientific writing?

In scientific writing, "an aqueous solution" is used to describe a mixture where a substance is dissolved in water. It's often followed by the specific chemical and its concentration, such as "an aqueous solution of NaCl at 0.1 M".

What is a simple way to define "an aqueous solution"?

Simply put, "an aqueous solution" is a solution where the solvent is water. It's used to indicate that a substance has been dissolved in water to create a homogenous mixture.

What can I say instead of "an aqueous solution" to sound less technical?

For less technical contexts, you can use alternatives like "a "water-based solution"" or "a "solution in water"". These options are easier to understand for a general audience.

Is there a difference between "an aqueous solution" and "a solution with water"?

While they are very similar, "an aqueous solution" implies that water is the primary, or only, solvent. "A "solution with water"" could technically refer to a mixture where water is just one of several solvents, though the terms are often used interchangeably.