brook

USAGE SUMMARY

"brook" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a noun that typically refers to a small stream or a tributary of a larger body of water. Example sentence: We followed the course of the meandering brook for hours until we eventually reached the lake.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

She was found naked in a brook at Hintlesham, Suffolk, on 2 December.

The Guardian

The body of 25-year-old Gemma Adams was found in a brook near the Suffolk town last weekend, and the remains of her friend and fellow prostitute, 19-year-old Tania Nicol, were discovered about a mile away last Friday.

The Guardian

I think of the Northamptonshire dialect verb to crizzle, for instance, a verb for the freezing of water that evokes the sound of a natural activity too slow for human hearing to detect ("And the white frost 'gins crizzle pond and brook", wrote John Clare in 1821).

The Guardian - Books

Toad's Mouth, a landmark boulder near Burbage Bridge, stood crisply against the blue sky – but the wind was cold and, being under-dressed, I dropped into the deep-set brook to bask in its shelter for a while.

The Guardian

Palestinian sentiment will not brook a sell-out of the refugees' decades of dreams and grievances.

The Economist

Like Shinzo Abe in Japan, or Vladimir Putin in Russia, Mr Modi appeals to voters in part as a patriot, who will brook no disrespect for his country's standing.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Prior to Brook-Gavin, Anthony Joshua was at his brutal best as he stopped the American Kevin Johnson inside two rounds to win his 13th straight fight as a professional heavyweight.

The Guardian - Sport

Opening a store on London's Brook Street in 2007, she won designer of the year at the British Fashion Awards in 2008.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The show created such a buzz within the industry that the following February she made her London fashion week debut with Daddy Who Were The Clash? Moving first to Milan then New York to increase sales, the designer returned to London in 2007, opening a store in Brook Street and becoming a favourite of buyers and editors on the schedule.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Gardner Brook, a former Lehman Brothers investment banker and associate of Moses Obeid, took the stand on Tuesday and revealed he had been told the family could make more than $100m if the deal went through.

The Guardian

I moved to Scarborough to go to university about 10 years ago, and my co-founders [Lee Brook and Andy Gambles] both live here too.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "brook" in the negative sense (e.g., "will not brook"), ensure the context clearly indicates intolerance or refusal. For example, "The manager will not brook any insubordination".

Common error

Avoid using the noun form of "brook" (small stream) when you intend to use the verb form (to tolerate). Ensure the sentence structure and surrounding words align with the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "brook" depends on the context. As a noun, it signifies a small stream. As a verb, it means to tolerate or endure something. Ludwig AI confirms this dual nature.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "brook" functions both as a noun referring to a small stream and a verb meaning to tolerate, most often used in the negative sense. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status. While "brook" as a noun is straightforward, its verb form carries a stronger sense of intolerance than simple synonyms like "tolerate". Its usage is frequent in news and media, making it a versatile term across various contexts. Remember to use it carefully to avoid confusion between its noun and verb forms. When in doubt, replace "will not brook" with will not tolerate for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

small stream

Replaces "brook" with a more descriptive term for a small waterway.

creek

Offers a synonym for "brook" when referring to a small stream.

streamlet

Emphasizes the small size of the stream compared to "brook".

runnel

Suggests a narrow channel for water, similar to a small "brook".

tolerate

Replaces the verb form of "brook" which means to endure or allow.

endure

Synonym for "brook" when used as a verb, implying acceptance or perseverance.

put up with

Offers a more colloquial alternative to "brook" as a verb, meaning to tolerate.

stand for

Used as a verb and implies acceptance without opposition.

bear with

Used as a verb and expresses patience and tolerance.

suffer

Implies experiencing something unpleasant, related to the sense of enduring.

FAQs

How can I use "brook" in a sentence?

As a noun, "brook" refers to a small stream, like "The children played by the brook". As a verb, it means to tolerate, often in the negative, such as "I will not brook any further delays".

What's the difference between a "brook" and a river?

A "brook" is smaller than a river. Brooks are typically smaller streams or tributaries leading into larger rivers.

What can I say instead of "will not brook"?

You can use alternatives like "will not tolerate", "will not allow", or "will not permit" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say 'I brook his behavior'?

While grammatically correct, it's more common to use "brook" in a negative context, such as 'I will not brook his behavior'. Positive usage is less frequent.