dive to the ground

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dive to the ground" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is physically lowering themselves quickly to the ground, often for safety or to avoid something. Example: "When the alarm sounded, the soldiers were trained to dive to the ground to avoid incoming fire."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Then they saw the plane take a steep dive to the ground.

The New York Times

When they first arrive at the Zaatri refugee camp, preschoolers dive to the ground when they hear an airplane overhead.

The Washington Post

Texans blockers will dive to the ground to cut block only to find Haynesworth already there, curled up and fast asleep.

The New York Times

He did not yell at the referee or clamp a threatening hand around an opponent's neck or fake a foul and dive to the ground.

The New York Times

Kennedy revealed in his book True Compass that, after his brothers' violent deaths, he was startled by loud nouises and would dive to the ground when a car backfired.

The Guardian

Hunting nocturnally or crepuscularly, this bird can target its prey and dive to the ground, penetrating its talons through snow, grass or brush to seize small creatures with deadly accuracy.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

A mid-15th-century icon of the Transfiguration is formally exquisite but near hysterical in tone, with Christ teetering on a mountaintop, as terrified disciples nose-dive to the ground.

The New York Times - Arts

He dived to the ground.

The Economist

The policeman had dived to the ground and recovered his gun.

The New Yorker

When the firing squad began shooting, he dove to the ground.

The New Yorker

Reyna hurled the kite, which wafted momentarily before diving to the ground.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dive to the ground" to vividly describe a quick, often urgent, descent, whether intentional or forced. The phrase effectively conveys a sense of immediacy and action.

Common error

Avoid using "dive to the ground" to describe gradual or metaphorical declines. Reserve it for situations involving a literal and rapid downward movement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dive to the ground" typically functions as a verb phrase describing an action. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It indicates a rapid and often sudden descent, whether intentional or unintentional. Examples show its use in both literal and figurative contexts, though literal is more common.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

25%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dive to the ground" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a rapid descent, often for safety. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, it's best reserved for literal and sudden downward movements, rather than metaphorical declines. Alternatives include "drop to the ground" and "fall to the ground".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

plummet to the ground

Replaces "dive" with "plummet", emphasizing a steep and rapid fall.

drop to the ground

Substitutes "dive" with "drop", suggesting a more immediate and less controlled descent.

fall to the ground

Uses "fall" instead of "dive", indicating a general downward movement without specific intent.

descend rapidly to the ground

Replaces "dive" with a more descriptive phrase, focusing on the speed of descent.

nose-dive to the ground

Adds "nose-" to "dive", specifying a headfirst downward movement, often used for objects.

tumble to the ground

Replaces "dive" with "tumble", implying a less controlled and more chaotic fall.

crash to the ground

Uses "crash" instead of "dive", suggesting a violent and forceful impact.

leap to the ground

Emphasizes a jumping action preceding the descent to the ground.

plunge to the earth

Substitutes "ground" with "earth", lending a slightly more dramatic or literary tone.

hurl oneself to the ground

Adds "hurl oneself", suggesting a deliberate and forceful action of throwing oneself downwards.

FAQs

What does "dive to the ground" mean?

The phrase "dive to the ground" describes a quick, forceful action of lowering oneself rapidly to the ground, often to avoid danger or take cover.

What can I say instead of "dive to the ground"?

You can use alternatives like "drop to the ground", "fall to the ground", or "plummet to the ground" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "dive to the ground"?

It's appropriate when describing a rapid, intentional, or forced descent to the ground, often in response to a perceived threat or the need for cover.

Is "dive to ground" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "dive to ground" is less common and grammatically weaker than "dive to the ground". The article "the" provides necessary context and clarity.