ebbs and flows

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'ebbs and flows' is correct and is commonly used in written English.
It is used to describe a situation wherein something changes repeatedly between two states, usually increasing and decreasing. For example, "The number of people using public transport ebbs and flows throughout the year, depending on the season."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It ebbs and flows.

The Guardian - Opinion

The violence ebbs and flows.

The Economist

The sport ebbs and flows.

Independent

"The rate ebbs and flows.

The Guardian

"You go through those ebbs and flows.

The New York Times - Sports

"I know the Senate ebbs and flows".

The New York Times

"It ebbs and flows," he said.

The New York Times

The ebbs and flows of tennis.

The Guardian - Sport

"There will be lots of ebbs and flows to this.

The New York Times

Gluck's music ebbs and flows with uncanny naturalness.

The New York Times - Arts

"Sexual encounters have their ebbs and flows," he contended.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ebbs and flows" to describe situations where there are natural or expected fluctuations, such as market trends, project timelines, or emotional states.

Common error

Avoid using "ebbs and flows" to describe a one-time change or a permanent shift. It's best suited for processes or situations that repeatedly increase and decrease.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ebbs and flows" functions as a noun phrase, often used to describe recurring fluctuations or alternating patterns. Ludwig shows that this expression appears in various contexts, highlighting its versatility in depicting dynamic situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ebbs and flows" is a versatile and commonly used expression to describe situations characterized by recurring fluctuations or alternating patterns. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appears frequently across various contexts, including news, science, and business. When you want to express cyclical change or intermittent variations, "ebbs and flows" is a reliable choice. Alternatives such as ""wax and wane"" or ""rise and fall"" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wax and wane

Focuses more on the cyclical increase and decrease, suggesting a lunar-like pattern.

rise and fall

Emphasizes the vertical movement or change in level, applicable to quantities or emotions.

fluctuate

A more general term indicating irregular variations or changes.

ebb and surge

Highlights the receding and advancing aspects, similar to tidal movements.

go through ups and downs

More informal, indicating a mix of positive and negative experiences or changes.

seesaw

Implies an alternating pattern between two states or conditions.

oscillate

Suggests a regular back-and-forth movement or variation around a central point.

alternate

Indicates a sequential change between two options or states.

undulate

Emphasizes a wave-like motion or appearance, implying a smooth rising and falling pattern.

vary

A simple way to say that something changes, without specifying a pattern.

FAQs

How to use "ebbs and flows" in a sentence?

You can use "ebbs and flows" to describe fluctuating patterns. For example, "The company's revenue "ebbs and flows" with the seasons" or "Interest in the topic "ebbs and flows" depending on current events".

What can I say instead of "ebbs and flows"?

You can use alternatives like "wax and wane", "rise and fall", or "fluctuate" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "ebb and flow" instead of "ebbs and flows"?

While "ebb and flow" can be used in a singular sense to describe the general phenomenon of fluctuating, "ebbs and flows" is more common when referring to specific instances of fluctuation or the overall pattern of change.

What's the difference between "ebbs and flows" and "ups and downs"?

"Ebbs and flows" often implies a more regular or predictable pattern of change, while "ups and downs" suggests a less predictable mix of positive and negative experiences.