low on water

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "low on water" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where there is a shortage of water, whether literally or metaphorically. Example: "The plants in the garden are looking wilted because they are low on water."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

If I could offer our soon-to-be Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack one piece of advice, it would be this: "We're already running low on water.

Huffington Post

Canteen low on water.

The New Yorker

But his fighters were low on water, and not prepared for a long siege.

The New Yorker

It was only 10 a.m., but we were running low on water and the heat was building.

The New York Times - Travel

The main reason is last summer's drought, which left hydroelectric plants too low on water to generate sufficient electricity.

The New York Times

The Maine Emergency Management Agency says it believes that many of the 53,000 households in the state that depend on shallow wells are running low on water.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Finally, hedgerow pruning has a low effect on water and nitrogen flow at the outlet of watershed.

Agricultural Water Management

As drought grips the state, the governor also received low marks on water policy, with only 39% approval, weighted heavily by residents of the farm-rich Central Valley and California's northern interior.

Los Angeles Times

Conversely, species with a low dependency on water, in this case, egg-burrowing species, may allocate energy to parental care [ 35, 36].

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Some of those left behind on Friday were perched on rooftops and water tanks, and many are low on drinking water and food, said the workers, who had not had radio or cell phone contact with those left behind but had reached one resident in High Island, the most elevated point on the peninsula, by a land line.

The New York Times

The casks brought from Cuba were leaking and the expedition was now running dangerously low on fresh water; the hunt for more became an overriding priority as the expedition advanced, and shore parties searching for water were left dangerously exposed because the ships could not pull close to the shore due to the shallows.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a dire situation, use "low on water" to create a sense of urgency or impending crisis. This phrase is more evocative than simply stating "there is not enough water."

Common error

While "low on water" is acceptable in many situations, consider using more formal alternatives like "experiencing water scarcity" or "water resources are depleted" in academic papers or business reports for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "low on water" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a state of deficiency or scarcity. Ludwig AI shows it commonly describes situations where the availability of water is limited or dwindling. It modifies a noun or pronoun, specifying a condition of lacking water.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Wiki

26%

Science

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "low on water" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a state of water scarcity. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and offers alternative expressions like "running short of water" or specifying that "water is scarce". Predominantly found in News & Media and Wiki sources, it serves to communicate an impending or present shortage, prompting awareness or action. While versatile, more formal options may be preferable in academic or business settings. Usage tips include leveraging its descriptive strength to emphasize urgency in critical narratives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

running short of water

Emphasizes the process of depletion rather than the current state.

water is scarce

Focuses on the general availability of water in a region or situation.

water supplies are dwindling

Highlights the gradual reduction of water resources.

experiencing water shortage

Focuses on experiencing a lack of water.

water resources are depleted

States that the water has been used up.

lacking sufficient water

Highlights the inadequacy of water for a specific purpose.

facing water crisis

Highlights that the situation is dangerous or problematic.

water reserves are low

Refers specifically to the amount of water stored.

suffering from water scarcity

Implies a negative impact or hardship due to the lack of water.

deficient in water

A more formal and technical way to describe a lack of water.

FAQs

How can I use "low on water" in a sentence?

You can use "low on water" to describe a situation where there isn't enough water available. For instance, "The hikers were getting "low on water" after a long day on the trail".

What's a more formal alternative to "low on water"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "experiencing water scarcity", "water resources are depleted", or "water is scarce".

Is it correct to say "running low on water" instead of "low on water"?

Yes, both "low on water" and "running low on water" are correct and commonly used. The latter emphasizes the ongoing process of depletion.

What situations typically involve the phrase "low on water"?

The phrase "low on water" is often used in contexts related to travel, survival, agriculture, or resource management, where the availability of water is a critical factor. Scenarios can range from a camping trip where supplies are dwindling to a region facing a drought.