gliding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gliding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a smooth, effortless movement, often in the context of flying, skating, or moving gracefully through the air or water. Example: "The bird was gliding effortlessly through the sky, its wings outstretched against the blue backdrop."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Sport

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

A male hen harrier's silhouette gliding low over the moorland is an eerie sight greatly prized by bird lovers, but the bird is best known for its aerobatic displays of climbing, twisting and rolling, known as sky dancing.

The Guardian

As another train delivered me from Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen, it was like gliding into Middle-earth, the valley's sheer rock sides and gushing glut of waterfalls virtually screaming the fact that Tolkien was inspired by this landscape.

The Guardian - Travel

Seeing its ghostly form gliding silently across the fields at dusk is very exciting.

The Guardian - Travel

But Brownlee, and to a lesser extend, Gomez are gliding light they are floating on air.

The Guardian - Sport

Any given Saturday morning, you'll find the elite gliding from hole to hole in their electric golf carts, the players accompanied by two caddies alert to their every command and quick to advise on how to play the course.

The Guardian

It doesn't take much to work out how it earned its name, with a terrain of dunes gliding into sandstone crags, the only ornament a frosting of salt left by a freakish rainstorm two years ago.

The Guardian - Travel

The orchestra rode the changes in mood, from mild to a wintry blast, the second Adagio movement gliding forward like a supermodel on rollerskates.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

With few safety aids, little experience and such a low entry-price, the inevitable fatalities gave hang-gliding a bad name.

The Economist

RANDALL FISHMAN, a retired jeweller from New Jersey, is a keen pilot who has spent a lot of time hang-gliding over the Hudson river when he should have been working.

The Economist

When this arrangement was scaled up, so that it could be launched by running with it down a slope into a slight uphill breeze instead of being towed by a motor boat, hang-gliding took off around the world.

The Economist

Hang-gliding is quite the purest form of flying.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gliding" to vividly describe a smooth, continuous movement, whether literal (like a bird in flight) or figurative (like a political process).

Common error

Avoid using "gliding" to describe movements that are abrupt, jerky, or lack smoothness. "Gliding" implies a seamless and continuous motion.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "gliding" is that of a present participle or gerund, often used to describe an ongoing action or state. As evidenced by Ludwig, "gliding" frequently functions as part of a continuous verb form (e.g., "is gliding").

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Travel

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Sport

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "gliding" is a versatile verb form used to describe smooth, continuous movement in both literal and figurative contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various domains, particularly in news media and travel writing. While "gliding" is appropriate for describing a range of motions, it's important to reserve it for actions that truly convey a sense of seamlessness and effortlessness, such as "a bird gliding through the air" or "a skater gliding across the ice". Alternatives like "soaring", "drifting", and "sliding" offer nuances that can refine your descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

smoothly moving

Focuses on the smoothness of the movement, applicable in various contexts like physical motion or abstract progress.

drifting

Suggests a passive, uncontrolled movement, often used in contexts like floating on water or air.

coasting

Implies a movement with minimal effort, often downhill or with the help of momentum.

sailing

Specifically refers to movement using sails, either literally or metaphorically.

floating

Indicates a buoyant movement, typically in a liquid or gas, emphasizing weightlessness.

planing

Describes movement across a surface, often water, with reduced friction due to speed.

skimming

Suggests a light, brief contact with a surface during movement.

sliding

Implies movement across a surface with minimal friction, often unintentional.

flowing

Describes a continuous, smooth movement, often used for liquids or abstract processes.

progressing steadily

Indicates a consistent and uniterrupted movement towards a goal or destination.

FAQs

How can I use "gliding" in a sentence?

"Gliding" can describe a smooth, continuous movement, like "The skater was "gliding" effortlessly across the ice" or metaphorically, like "The negotiations were "gliding" towards a peaceful resolution".

What words are similar to "gliding"?

Alternatives to "gliding" include "soaring", "drifting", "sliding", or "floating", each carrying slightly different nuances of movement.

Is it correct to say something is "gliding" even if it's not in the air?

Yes, "gliding" can be used metaphorically to describe smooth, effortless movement in other contexts, such as "The car was "gliding" along the highway" or "The project was "gliding" towards completion".

What is the difference between "gliding" and "sliding"?

"Gliding" suggests a more graceful, controlled movement, often through air or water, while "sliding" implies movement across a surface with less control and more friction.