by the brook

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by the brook" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a location near a small stream or waterway. Example: "We set up our picnic blanket by the brook, enjoying the soothing sound of the flowing water."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

By the brook.

The New Yorker

There was the justice, sitting alone by the brook.

The New York Times

I walk back to the meadow & fall into a sweet sleep by the brook.

The New Yorker

During the second movement, andante molto mosso ("By the Brook"), Robin sits upright upon a small, round ice bucket, trying to be good.

The New York Times

Signs also describe sweetgum growing by the brook, the appeal of the Grayblue Spicebush, and point out a 150-foot-high native tulip tree that is among the garden's oldest.

The New York Times - Arts

While the idea of the Romantic lyric calls a guitar to mind - a miller-boy playing by the brook - the essential technological progenitor of the Lied as we know it was the piano.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The men's suits were made by the Brooks Costume people, after Colt got up his specifications.

The New Yorker

Papers of Judge Brooks relating to his Unitarian-Universalist and Community Chest activities were transferred by the Brooks family to more appropriate repositories.

Harvard University

The curve was inverted with a parameter estimation algorithm and a 1D numerical model for variably saturated flow to obtain soil-moisture retention curves and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity relationships defined by the Brooks and Corey equations.

Journal of Hydrology

I Wandered By the Brook-side.

Johns Hopkins University

CEO of Las Vegas Homes by The Brooks Team (under EXP Realty) in Las Vegas, specializing in high rise and residential market.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by the brook" to evoke a serene or natural setting in descriptive writing. It is particularly effective in creating a peaceful atmosphere in poems, stories, or travel writing.

Common error

Avoid using "in the brook" when you mean "by the brook". "In the brook" suggests being inside the water, while "by the brook" indicates being near or beside it. The wrong choice drastically alters the image conveyed to the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by the brook" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb by indicating location. It specifies where something is or where an action takes place. As Ludwig AI explains, it is a usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "by the brook" is a grammatically correct and commonly used prepositional phrase that indicates a location near a small stream. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English. It appears frequently in News & Media, Academia and Science contexts, conveying a sense of peaceful natural settings. Alternatives include "beside the brook" or "near the brook". When using this phrase, ensure it appropriately describes a location adjacent to a brook, avoiding confusion with being "in" the brook. The phrase evokes a sense of serenity, effectively used in descriptive contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by the stream

Uses "stream" as a synonym for "brook", maintaining the same meaning.

beside the brook

Replaces the preposition "by" with "beside", indicating a position directly at the side of the brook.

near the brook

Uses "near" to suggest a location in close proximity to the brook, but not necessarily right next to it.

close to the brook

Similar to "near", indicating a short distance from the brook.

at the brookside

Combines "brook" and "side" into one word, emphasizing the edge or bank of the brook.

in proximity to the brook

A more formal way of saying "near the brook", indicating closeness.

at the edge of the brook

More explicit, indicating the outer limit or border of the brook.

along the brook

Suggests a position that follows the course or path of the brook.

adjacent to the brook

Indicates that something is next to or adjoining the brook.

on the banks of the brook

More specific, referring to the raised land alongside the brook.

FAQs

What does "by the brook" mean?

"By the brook" means near or beside a small stream. It indicates a location close to the water's edge.

What can I say instead of "by the brook"?

You can use alternatives like "beside the stream", "near the creek", or "at the brookside" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How can I use "by the brook" in a sentence?

You can use "by the brook" to describe a location. For example, "We enjoyed a peaceful picnic by the brook" or "The cottage was nestled by the brook".

Is there a difference between "by the brook" and "in the brook"?

Yes, "by the brook" means near or beside the stream, while "in the brook" means inside the water of the stream.