gurgling

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "gurgling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sound made by liquid moving in a way that creates a bubbling or hollow noise, often associated with water or other fluids. Example: "The baby was gurgling happily in the bathtub, splashing water everywhere."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There comes a point in February where complaining about the season verges on foreplay, the passion and creativity involved gurgling up from someplace primal.

The Guardian - Opinion

And that noise your kid was making, whatever that noise was – crying, screaming, gurgling with delight – stood in direct opposition to that.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They loved their forests and fertile valleys, their snow-capped mountains and gurgling rivers, their white-washed temples and red-robed monks.

The Economist

Forget hours spent swilling, swirling, sniffing, gurgling and spitting it will all be there in black and white, in the sequence data.From Saint-Amour to ViagraWhy should sauvignon blanc be stuck with boring old gooseberry and cabernet sauvignon with cassis?

The Economist

Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po and their television tummies and gurgling baby language caused a moral panic in the late Nineties.

Independent

McGuire "repeated cycles of snorting, gurgling and arching his back, appearing to writhe in pain," the lawsuit states.

Independent

Baby Oscar is dumped by his dysfunctional young parents on the parents of his mother, just at the point when the last of love was gurgling down the plughole of their marriage.

Independent

Apart from the gurgling Denwa River and flame-crazed moths, all was still, quiet and utterly magical.

Independent

The primal, gurgling sound confirmed her worst fear- that her BBC journalist sister, Kate, had died of her injuries after being shot while reporting in Mogadishu, Somalia.

Independent

A camel's roar begins as a coarse bellow, degenerates into the rumble of a 1948 Chevy cranking over, and ends as the sound of water gurgling through a drainpipe.

The New Yorker

At the foot of the tank, the inspectors found a shallow open-air lake of an oily substance, gurgling like a mountain spring.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gurgling" to vividly describe the sound of liquids moving in a bubbling or irregular way, such as water in a stream or noises in the throat. Consider the context to ensure it accurately conveys the intended sound.

Common error

Avoid using "gurgling" to describe sounds that are not related to liquids or bubbling actions. For example, do not describe a mechanical noise as "gurgling" unless there's a clear association with fluid movement or bubbling sound.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "gurgling" is a verb, often used as a present participle or gerund. It describes an action or a state of making a sound similar to liquid bubbling. Ludwig AI examples show its use in describing both literal sounds of water and metaphorical sounds.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academic

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "gurgling" is a versatile verb and noun used to describe a bubbling, liquid-like sound, as determined by Ludwig AI. It is grammatically correct and frequently appears in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. The word evokes a vivid auditory image, making it effective in descriptive writing. When using "gurgling", ensure the context aligns with its primary association with liquids or bubbling noises. Consider alternatives such as "bubbling", "rippling", or "murmuring" to refine the specific sound you wish to portray. "Gurgling" is a powerful tool for bringing scenes and sounds to life in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bubbling

Focuses on the formation of bubbles, similar to the sound of "gurgling".

rippling

Emphasizes the gentle movement of water, which can produce a "gurgling" sound.

babbling

Highlights the soft, murmuring sound of water flowing, akin to "gurgling".

murmuring

Suggests a low, continuous sound similar to gentle "gurgling".

trickling

Focuses on a small stream of liquid moving with a soft "gurgling" sound.

purling

Describes the gentle sound of a stream, a more poetic synonym for "gurgling".

splashing

Highlights the sound of liquid hitting a surface, which can accompany "gurgling".

flowing

Emphasizes the continuous movement of liquid, related to the "gurgling" sound.

churning

Suggests a more forceful bubbling or swirling, a louder version of "gurgling".

rumbling

Focuses on a low, continuous vibrating sound, sometimes associated with "gurgling" in a throat.

FAQs

How can "gurgling" be used in a sentence?

You can use "gurgling" to describe sounds made by liquids, such as "The stream was "babbling" and gurgling as it flowed over the rocks" or noises made in the throat, like "He made a "choking sound", gurgling as he struggled to breathe."

What are some words similar to "gurgling"?

Alternatives to "gurgling" include "bubbling", "rippling", "murmuring", and "trickling". The best choice depends on the specific sound and context you wish to describe.

Is it correct to use "gurgling" to describe a stomach noise?

Yes, "gurgling" can accurately describe stomach noises if they sound like bubbling or churning liquids. For example, "His stomach was "rumbling" and gurgling from hunger."

What's the difference between "gurgling" and "bubbling"?

"Gurgling" often implies a deeper, hollower sound associated with liquid flowing through a narrow space, while "bubbling" usually refers to the sound of air escaping through a liquid. A "fountain" might bubble, but a narrow stream is more likely to gurgle.