drop of water

USAGE SUMMARY

"drop of water" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something small, such as in the phrase "a single drop of water." For example, "The raindrop left a single drop of water on the windowsill."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

One drop of water".

The New York Times - Magazine

Our drop of water is now unwanted.

The Guardian

But every drop of water is still in there.

The Guardian - Opinion

Each icon is contained in a drop of water.

The New York Times

"A Drop of Water: A Book of Science and Wonder," Walter Wick (Scholastic).

The New York Times - Science

– Stormbreaker Show Holmes a drop of water and he would deduce the existence of the Atlantic.

The Guardian

Add a drop of water to the arrowroot, then whisk into the pan.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"The idea is not to let even a drop of water escape the land.

The Guardian

"Since then we haven't had a drop of water in the streets," he said.

The New York Times

It seems we will take over, and no drop of water will be complete without us.

The Guardian - Books

They are trying new techniques to get more crop for every drop of water.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing scientific experiments or observations, "drop of water" can refer to a precise, measurable quantity.

Common error

Avoid using "drop of water" repeatedly in purely descriptive contexts; vary your language with synonyms like "trace", "dash", or more specific terms depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drop of water" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It denotes a small quantity of liquid, often emphasizing its importance or scarcity. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

24%

Wiki

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

13%

Huffington Post

5%

European Journal of Neuroscience

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "drop of water" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase across diverse contexts, as validated by Ludwig. It typically refers to a small quantity of water, often emphasizing its value or scarcity. Its usage spans from news and media to scientific and formal business writing, making it a versatile expression. While correct, be mindful of overusing it descriptively and consider synonyms for varied expression. Ludwig confirms these observations and provides numerous real-world examples to guide effective usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bit of water

Replaces "drop" with "bit", indicating a small amount.

small amount of water

More explicitly describes the quantity of water.

trace of water

Implies an even smaller quantity than a drop.

dash of water

Commonly used in cooking contexts, suggesting a minimal amount.

spot of water

Emphasizes the small, localized nature of the water.

particle of water

Highlights the minute size, potentially in a scientific context.

iota of water

Uses "iota" to denote an extremely small, almost negligible amount.

smidgen of water

An informal term for a tiny quantity.

molecule of water

Refers to the basic structural unit, rather than a visible quantity.

tear drop

Links to the emotional state of tears rather than just referring to water

FAQs

How can I use "drop of water" in a sentence?

You can use "drop of water" to describe a small quantity of water, as in "A single drop of water fell from the leaf" or to emphasize the importance of even a small amount of water, such as "In the desert, every drop of water is precious".

What are some alternatives to "drop of water"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "bit of water", "small amount of water", or "trace of water".

Is it correct to say "a drop of water" or "one drop of water"?

Both "a drop of water" and "one drop of water" are grammatically correct. "One drop of water" may be used for emphasis.

What does "drop of water in the ocean" mean?

The expression "a drop of water in the ocean" refers to something that is insignificant or inconsequential due to its small size compared to something much larger. In this sense you can use instead alternative phrases like "small fish in a big pond" or "needle in a haystack".