burbling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "burbling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a bubbling or murmuring sound, often associated with water or a gentle flow of speech. Example: "The brook was burbling softly as we walked along the trail."

✓ Grammatically correct

Describes sounds, especially of liquids

Used to depict speech or expression

Common in travel and nature writing

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

An editor will phone and I'll pour words down the receiver, fast and burbling, only to be left with a hot combination of embarrassment and exhilaration when it's over.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Baby Josephine is burbling away contentedly.

The Guardian

Just as the philosophers writing in the pages of The Journal of Medical Ethics can find in pro-choice arguments no principle of personhood that would forbid the slaughter of burbling newborns, there is likewise no principle implied by progressives' denial of legal personhood to corporations that would forbid further violence against our divine endowment of rights.

The Economist

Immersed in the bumbling, burbling, shuffling shtick that he has taken from the floor of the Oxford Union to the corridors of power, Mr Johnson seemed unaware that his audience was observing him in confused silence.

The Economist

He may find a last-minute rewinding ploy to keep both sides burbling a bit longer.

The Economist

The scene was dubbed "acid house," after the seething, burbling "acid" sound produced by the 303 bass synthesizer and prominently featured on Chicago house records.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Lean's sumptuous shots of County Kerry's Dingle Peninsula – in particular his love scene where a breathless Miles commits adultery among the swaying trees and burbling brooks of a dense forest – were considered overpowering by the critics.

Independent

When Roderigo, in the opening episode (set in a gondola), refers to the absent hero as "the thick-lips", we see Iago freeze and then decide to make light of it, burbling parodic raspberries through his own lips and cuffing Roderigo with a feigned jokiness.

Independent

The land is fertile, good for growing barley (or bere, as it was then), it's threaded with rivers and burbling springs and layered with peat (still cut for fuel from the springy moorland), which gives a pungent smokiness to the malting process.

Independent

The ascent through mature woodland was swift and accompanied by burbling calls from colourful Cuban trogons, cooing pigeons and occasional gasps for breath in the stifling humidity.

Independent

I imagined our apartment overlooking a square: the burbling fountain, the drawings of dams and bridges piled neatly on the desk.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "burbling" to evoke a gentle, natural sound, particularly when describing water features or pleasant acoustic environments. It adds a touch of tranquility to your writing.

Common error

While "burbling" is appropriate for descriptive and narrative writing, it can sound too informal or whimsical in professional or academic settings. Choose more precise or neutral terms when necessary.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "burbling" is to act as a present participle of the verb "burble", often used to describe a continuous action or state, as Ludwig AI's examples show. It can also function as a noun, referring to the sound itself.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

36%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "burbling" is a versatile word primarily used as a present participle or a noun to describe a gentle, flowing sound, often associated with water or contented speech. Ludwig AI, through its analysis, confirms that it is grammatically correct and relatively common, particularly in descriptive writing and news articles. While appropriate for various contexts, it is best to avoid overuse in extremely formal or professional settings. Its synonyms include "gurgling", "babbling", and "murmuring", offering nuanced ways to depict similar sounds. Remember to leverage its descriptive power to enhance the auditory imagery in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gurgling

Specifically describes the sound of liquid flowing irregularly through a narrow passage.

babbling

Often refers to the sound of a brook or a baby's vocalizations.

murmuring

Emphasizes a low, indistinct sound, often continuous.

purling

A gentle, murmuring sound, often associated with streams.

bubbling

Highlights the formation and release of bubbles.

rippling

Focuses on the visual aspect of small waves or undulations on a surface.

trickling

Describes a very small flow of liquid, often in a thin stream.

effervescing

Describes the process of bubbling, fizzing, or exhibiting lively bubbling action.

flowing gently

Indicates a smooth, quiet movement of liquid.

softly flowing

Highlights the low-volume of liquid movement.

FAQs

How can I use "burbling" in a sentence?

You can use "burbling" to describe the sound of a liquid, like "The stream was "burbling" over the rocks", or to describe a type of speech, like "She was "burbling" with excitement".

What's the difference between "burbling" and "gurgling"?

"Burbling" generally implies a more gentle, continuous sound, like a brook. "Gurgling" often suggests a more irregular, bubbling sound, potentially within a confined space.

What are some synonyms for "burbling"?

Some synonyms for "burbling" include "gurgling", "babbling", "murmuring", and "rippling" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "burbling" formal or informal?

"Burbling" is generally considered an informal term. It's best suited for descriptive writing, creative narratives, or casual conversations, but less appropriate for formal academic or business contexts.