narrow channel

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "narrow channel" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a specific type of waterway or passage that is limited in width, often in geographical or nautical contexts. Example: "The ship navigated carefully through the narrow channel to avoid running aground."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Thom Jones thanked two pharmaceutical companies for expanding his "narrow channel of joy".

The New York Times - Books

We waded into the greenish water and began casting to a narrow channel below a riffle.

The New York Times - Sports

A narrow channel connects it to a second pool, "Interacting Falls: Plain and Shooter".

The New York Times - Arts

They send you flying down a narrow channel -- the driving game as a bobsled run.

The New York Times - Tech

It is located on a narrow channel of the Bohol Strait opposite Cebu City.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Near the portside lake bank, three hummocks of land loomed ahead in a narrow channel.

The New York Times

Ultimately, they're inextricably "locked into a narrow channel of acquaintance, intense and binding".

Independent

We split off from the creek, following a straight, narrow channel with trees arching out low over the water.

The New York Times - Travel

The East River is more a narrow channel than a river as it makes its way north.

The New York Times - Arts

The crowds at those early meetings came in response to messages broadcast over a narrow channel, the Adbusters list.

The New Yorker

Pleasure boats cruise languidly around the sandbanks that dot the narrow channel leading to the Southern Ocean.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "narrow channel" to precisely indicate a waterway or passage with limited width, distinguishing it from broader or wider areas.

Common error

Don't assume the reader understands the type of channel. Clarify whether you're referring to a waterway, a physical structure, or a metaphorical pathway. For example, instead of just "the narrow channel", specify "the narrow river channel" or "the narrow communication channel".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "narrow channel" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It describes a specific type of waterway or passage characterized by its limited width. Ludwig AI confirms its standard grammatical use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

51%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "narrow channel" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term to describe a confined passage, most commonly in geographical and scientific contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a straightforward phrase. To maximize clarity, specify the type of channel (e.g., "river channel", "communication channel"). Alternatives such as "slim passage" or "confined waterway" can be used for variety, but "narrow channel" remains a precise and widely understood descriptor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

small channel

Uses "small" as a direct synonym for "narrow", indicating size.

slim passage

Replaces "channel" with a more general term for a route, while "slim" emphasizes the limited width.

confined waterway

Highlights the restriction in space within a water body instead of using "channel".

tight passage

Similar to 'slim passage', it indicates the limited width and space.

restricted passage

Emphasizes the limited access or width of the passage, focusing on the constraint.

tight waterway

Uses "tight" to convey the limited space within the waterway.

constricted channel

Emphasizes the narrowing or squeezing of the channel.

limited conduit

Replaces "channel" with "conduit", stressing the function of passage but adding 'limited' to maintain the meaning.

reduced channel

Focuses on the channel having been made smaller or less wide.

close passage

Uses "close" to indicate the proximity of the channel's sides, implying narrowness.

FAQs

How to use "narrow channel" in a sentence?

You can use "narrow channel" to describe a waterway, a physical structure, or even a metaphorical pathway with limited width. For example: "The boat navigated the narrow channel carefully", "A narrow channel connects the two pools", or "They were locked into a narrow channel of acquaintance".

What can I say instead of "narrow channel"?

You can use alternatives like "slim passage", "confined waterway", or "restricted passage" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "narrow channel" or "narrower channel"?

"Narrow channel" is used as a general description. "Narrower channel" is comparative, indicating that one channel is less wide than another. The choice depends on whether you're describing a single channel or comparing two.

What's the difference between "narrow channel" and "small channel"?

While both describe size, "narrow channel" specifically refers to the width being limited, whereas "small channel" might refer to overall size, including length and depth. They are largely interchangeable, but "narrow" focuses on width.