emit steam

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "emit steam" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means to release or give off steam. Example: The old train slowly trudged along the tracks, emitting steam from its rusty engine.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

It would also occasionally spin its wheels, blow a horn and emit steam.

The New York Times

To play up the shower motif, the billboards will emit steam.

The New York Times

The boiling pots emit steam, and the wok cooks the water in the oven, letting off more heat.

The New York Times

Magma is so unusually close to the surface here that pools of mud bubble like caldrons, and street drains emit steam.

The New York Times - Travel

Entitled "Train," the 70-foot sculpture would also spin its wheels, blow a horn and emit steam.

HuffPost

With the loss of the confining pressure of the overlying rock, the caldera of Mount St. Helens began to rapidly emit steam and other volcanic gases.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

On closer inspection, the pit of soil surrounding the stump was found to be emitting steam.

The New Yorker

Mud cones emitting steam and sulfurous fumes indicate slight volcanic activity on the island; there are also gas and oil seepages.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Two of the plant's reactors are now seen as safe but the other four are volatile, occasionally emitting steam and smoke.

Independent

Elsewhere, Chico MacMurtrie's trio of motorized masturbating robots made of junk is amusing, but even when one robot pops a metal cap and emits steam it does not seem at all dangerous.

The New York Times - Arts

At one bend in the road, a crashed car has been permanently installed, like a sculpture in the Whitney Biennial, its buckled engine periodically emitting steam, to illustrate the dangers of careless driving.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing mechanical systems or natural phenomena, use "emit steam" to clearly convey the action of releasing water vapor. For example, 'The geyser emitted steam high into the air.'

Common error

Avoid using "emit steam" when you mean to describe smoke. Steam is water vapor, while smoke contains particulate matter from combustion. Ensure your description accurately reflects what is being released.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "emit steam" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of releasing water vapor. As Ludwig AI explains, it signifies the act of something giving off or discharging steam, a visible form of water in a gaseous state.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

24%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "emit steam" is a grammatically correct verb phrase that describes the action of releasing water vapor. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to describe various processes from volcanic activity to mechanical operations. While the phrase itself is neutral in tone, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, with scientific and encyclopedic sources also making considerable use of it. Related phrases include "release steam" and "discharge steam", providing alternative ways to express the same concept. It is important to distinguish between "emit steam" and descriptions involving smoke or other types of emissions, ensuring accurate representation of the described phenomenon.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

release steam

A more general term for allowing steam to escape.

discharge steam

Implies a controlled or directed release of steam.

vent steam

Suggests releasing steam to relieve pressure or heat.

give off steam

An informal way to describe the process of steam being released.

expel steam

Emphasizes the force or speed of the steam release.

produce steam

Focuses on the creation of steam, rather than its emission.

generate steam

Highlights the process that results in steam being created and potentially emitted.

liberate steam

Implies freeing steam from a confined space or substance.

send out steam

Describes the action of projecting or directing steam outward.

issue steam

Formal way of saying that steam is coming out of something.

FAQs

How can I use "emit steam" in a sentence?

You can use "emit steam" to describe something releasing water vapor, such as "The volcano "emits steam" and gases".

What are some synonyms for "emit steam"?

Alternatives include "release steam", "discharge steam", or "vent steam", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "emitting steam"?

Yes, "emitting steam" is the present participle form and is grammatically correct. For example, "The engine was "emitting steam"".

What's the difference between "emit steam" and "produce steam"?

"Produce steam" refers to the creation of steam, while "emit steam" refers to the release of existing steam. Something can "produce steam" without "emitting steam" if it's contained.