flow over

USAGE SUMMARY

"flow over" is an acceptable part of a sentence in written English.
It is typically used to describe a liquid moving over an edge or embankment. For example: "The river slowly flowed over the edge of the waterfall, crashing down into the rocky pool below."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

After silane treatment, liquid PDMS was made to flow over the mold and cured thermally.

Biomedical Optics Express

Our hearts flow over with love.

The New York Times

She'll flow over when she's good and ready.

The New Yorker

"Fuel prices are currently low, but we know they will ebb and flow over time".

The Guardian - Business

Their financial analysis favors cash flow over earnings, Mr. Woodson said.

The New York Times

Really all you can do is let the sensations flow over you.

The New York Times - Tech

The benefit will flow over time, but it's not going to be huge.

The Guardian

Air would flow over a brine pool, collecting vapor.

Desalination

This configuration also demonstrated growth rates that are comparable to flow over configuration.

Cornell University

These marks formed, and form today, when steady, relatively gentle water currents flow over soft sediments.

University of California, Berkeley

Analysis of external inviscid, subsonic, flow over aerodynamic thin airfoils and slender lifting bodies.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "flow over" to describe the abstract movement of information or emotions. For example: "Let the music flow over you."

Common error

Avoid substituting "flow over" with similar verbs that require different prepositions. For example, instead of saying "water flowed above the dam", use "water flowed over the dam".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "flow over" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating movement or passage across a surface or boundary. As Ludwig AI explains, this can describe literal fluid motion, such as "liquid PDMS was made to flow over the mold", or more abstract phenomena, such as letting sensations flow over you.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

32%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "flow over" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe movement or passage across a surface, both literally and figuratively. As indicated by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and can be applied in various contexts, from scientific descriptions of fluid dynamics to expressing emotional experiences. It's important to select the right preposition when using "flow over" to avoid grammatical errors and ensure clarity. Its widespread presence across diverse sources underscores its common usage and acceptability in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fluid over

Focuses specifically on the movement of liquids.

move across

Emphasizes the action of traversing a surface.

spread over

Highlights the distribution of something across an area.

wash over

Suggests a more forceful or overwhelming movement.

cascade over

Implies a downward, flowing motion, often with water.

pass over

Indicates movement from one side to another.

cover completely

Focuses on the action of covering the entire area.

sweep over

Suggests a broad, encompassing movement.

circulate over

Highlights a recurring or continuous movement.

travel across

Indicates a journey or passage across a surface.

FAQs

How is "flow over" used in scientific writing?

"Flow over" is often used to describe the movement of fluids or gases in scientific contexts. For example, studies might analyze the "flow over an airfoil" or the "blood flow over arteries".

What are some synonyms for "flow over" when describing emotions?

When describing emotions, alternatives to "flow over" include "wash over", "sweep over", or "envelop", depending on the intensity and impact you want to convey.

Is "flow over" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "flow over" is appropriate for formal writing. Its usage is grammatically sound and widely accepted across various disciplines, including scientific and business writing.

Which is more appropriate when referring to a dam, "flow over" or "flow above"?

When referring to a dam, "flow over" is the correct choice. "Flow above" implies the water is suspended above the dam, not moving across its surface.