dipped through

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dipped through" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a movement or action where something passes through a space or medium, often implying a quick or smooth motion. Example: "The bird dipped through the branches, searching for its next meal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Before they reached the highway the country road dipped through a swampy hollow now completely frozen over.

The New Yorker

Five minutes later Matty Marsh manipulated the Broncos defence, dipped through a gap and side-stepped the onrushing last man to complete an impressive solo try.

The Guardian - Sport

The pavement gave way to gravel and the gravel to dirt, and finally a narrow path in the weeds dipped through a dragline ditch and vanished into a cornfield.

The New Yorker

For all those years, no one paid much notice to the ghostly tracks, long overgrown with trees and vines, as they ran silently behind tidy houses in Rego Park, dipped through ravines in Forest Park and hovered above big-box stores in Glendale.

The New York Times

The way the car shook and glued my head to the back of the headrest as he dipped through traffic was like a drug.

Vice

It was then dipped through the ethanolic NaOH and again allowed to air dry.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

After weaving and dipping through holes in the cloud, the low, forested foothills of Bhutan came into view.

The New York Times

"The G!" his friend says, referring to the one train that doesn't dip through Manhattan on its way from Queens to Brooklyn.

The New York Times

It necessitated wading through waist-high surf from the rocks to the beach, then dipping through the edge of a bubbling primordial mangrove swamp – unwise, given the sometime residents.

Independent

"For a long time now, Frieda had learned to organize her life so that it was as serene and dependable as a waterwheel, each section dipping through experience and rising up again".

The New York Times - Books

The ragged cliffsides are shedding their brown winter coat for the more colourful garb of purple thrift; yellow and green sea campion are beginning to fringe the pathway; and though the daffodils are fading, the bluebells are still putting on a good show where the path drops inland briefly to dip through a wooded copse.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dipped through" to vividly describe a brief descent or passage through a defined space or medium. It's particularly effective for adding imagery in descriptive writing.

Common error

Avoid using "dipped through" when describing a slow, gradual descent. The phrase implies a quick, distinct dipping motion, not a prolonged decline.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dipped through" functions primarily as a verb phrase, describing an action of moving downwards and through something. Ludwig's examples show its use in describing paths, roads, and even objects moving through space.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

25%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dipped through" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe a descending motion while passing through something. Ludwig AI analysis indicates it is most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts. While the phrase is correct, writers should use it deliberately to describe quick, descending movements. Several alternatives like "passed through" or "descended into" can be used depending on the context. The phrase holds a neutral register, suitable for a variety of writing styles and the provided examples effectively illustrate the nuance and applicability of "dipped through".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

passed through

Indicates a simple movement from one point to another, lacking the dipping or descending motion implied by "dipped through".

descended into

Focuses on the downward movement aspect, but does not necessarily imply a passage through something.

moved across

Suggests a horizontal movement rather than a dipping motion.

swooped through

Implies a rapid, bird-like movement, adding a sense of speed and agility.

glided through

Suggests a smooth, effortless movement, removing the implication of a dip.

dove into

Emphasizes a sharp, downward plunge, changing the manner of movement.

submerged in

Implies complete immersion, differing from the partial or brief contact suggested by "dipped through".

navigated through

Focuses on the act of maneuvering, adding an element of guidance or skill.

flowed through

Suggests a continuous, fluid movement, unlike the potentially brief action of "dipped through".

penetrated through

Emphasizes the act of piercing or entering, adding a sense of force or resistance.

FAQs

How can I use "dipped through" in a sentence?

You can use "dipped through" to describe a quick, descending movement through something. For example, "The path "dipped through" a wooded area" or "The car "dipped through" the valley".

What are some alternatives to "dipped through"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "passed through", "descended into", or "glided through".

Is it correct to say "dipped through" or should I use another phrase?

The phrase "dipped through" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe a brief, descending movement. Its suitability depends on the specific context you're describing.

What's the difference between ""dipped through"" and "passed through"?

"Dipped through" implies a descending motion while moving. "Passed through" simply means moving from one side to the other, without necessarily involving a vertical movement.