cascading

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'cascading' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is flowing or tumbling downwards in a series of light, watery falls. For example: The waterfall cascaded down the steep mountainside into the river below.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Installations will appear on street corners: giant books cascading from a window; a huge red ball squeezed between buildings; and an enormous aquarium.

The Guardian - Travel

In both 2001 and 2005 they were arguing about what to do with the tax revenues then cascading into government coffers.

The Economist

Her father, Mr Meyer, is beloved among web design and development circles both for his expertise with the arcana of Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) used for webpage layout and formatting and for the generosity, clarity and goodwill with which he shares what he knows.

The Economist

It also paints a troubling picture of the future impact on water and power supplies.One danger is that as the ice melts, newly formed lakes may send water cascading down mountainsides, triggering mudslides that are potentially lethal for the villages below.

The Economist

His causes, both healthy and repugnant, combined with a lack of humour and high self-regard, did not make him popular.In 1894, on a trip to Switzerland, he saw, in water cascading into mountain pools, a way to "define precisely the relationships among wealth, capital, interest and income," Robert Loring Allen, a biographer of Fisher, wrote.

The Economist

Why not paint the world as it was?His moment of revelation came one day in 1965, in front of Caravaggio's "Raising of Lazarus" in the Louvre, when he found himself astounded by the drama of sinewy bodies and lit, cascading shrouds.

The Economist

Mr Wilkens is alluding to the disruptive effects of oil or mineral wealth cascading into fragile states.

The Economist

Chinese soldiers were cascading across the border into Korea.

The Economist

With protests cascading across Arabia, is the world in for another oil shock?There are good reasons to worry.

The Economist

Eri, a fashion model, does nothing but languish in a death-like sleep in a menacing netherworld, her black hair cascading across the pillow "like a flood of dark water".

The Economist

THE World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), the body that leads the development of technical standards for the web, usually concerns itself with nerdy matters such as extensible mark-up languages and cascading style sheets.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cascading" to vividly describe anything flowing, falling, or progressing in a series, whether it's water, information, or consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "cascading" too frequently in abstract contexts where simpler words like "successive" or "resulting" would be clearer and more direct.

Linguistic Context

The word "cascading" functions primarily as a present participle or gerund, often used to describe an action or state of flowing or falling in a series. As Ludwig AI validates, it describes something that is flowing or tumbling downwards in a series of light, watery falls.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Encyclopedias

28%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

5%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cascading" is a versatile term often used as a present participle to describe something flowing or falling in a sequential manner. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. Its primary contexts are News & Media and Encyclopedias, indicating a neutral register suitable for various audiences. While alternatives like ""tumbling"" and "pouring" offer similar meanings, "cascading" provides a vivid depiction of a flowing or sequential process, making it effective for both visual and abstract descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tumbling

Focuses on a less controlled, more random descent.

pouring

Emphasizes a large quantity flowing downwards continuously.

streaming

Suggests a continuous flow, often in a defined channel.

overflowing

Implies that something is spilling over a boundary or container.

rushing down

Highlights speed and force in the downward movement.

plummeting

Suggests a rapid and steep drop.

descending rapidly

A more formal way to describe quick downward movement.

flowing down

A simple and direct way to describe downward movement.

spiraling downward

Describes movement that is both downward and circular.

successive

Describes a chain of elements, problems, losses.

FAQs

How to use "cascading" in a sentence?

"Cascading" is often used to describe something flowing or falling downwards, like a waterfall. It can also describe a series of events or effects. For example, "The waterfall was "tumbling" down the cliffside", or "The company faced "successive" losses due to poor investments".

What can I say instead of "cascading"?

You can use alternatives like ""tumbling"", "pouring", or "streaming" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "cascading"?

"Cascading" is suitable when you want to emphasize a flowing or sequential effect. It's particularly effective when describing visual scenes or chains of events.

What's the difference between "cascading" and ""successive""?

"Cascading" typically implies a flowing or downward movement, while ""successive"" simply means following in order or sequence without the connotation of flow. "Cascading" often carries a visual or dynamic quality that ""successive"" lacks.