put to sea

USAGE SUMMARY

"put to sea" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is usually used as a phrasal verb meaning to set sail, as in, "The ship put to sea at dawn."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Roosevelt put to sea.

The New Yorker

Night after night, my love, I put to sea.

The New Yorker

The fleet does not put to sea in big numbers.

The Economist

They put to sea in ever faster, more extreme and more expensive yachts.

The Economist

Costs can be kept down by ensuring that ships put to sea with less empty space.

The Economist

"And without the supplies New England might provide, the Royal Navy could not put to sea.

The New York Times - Books

It was another six months before they were able to put to sea in open lifeboats.

The New York Times

The navy put to sea within two days, amid pandemonium in Portsmouth and Plymouth.

The Guardian

On 13 July 1967 he put to sea with his family to sail to France.

The Guardian - Books

T. A. Craven and the Tuscarora to prepare to intercept the Enrica if it left Liverpool to put to sea.

The New York Times

Even before being put to sea for the first time a year ago, the Astute was a navy showpiece.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context when choosing "put to sea" over simpler alternatives like "set sail." "Put to sea" can add a slightly more formal or traditional tone to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "put to sea" when simply describing a boat moving on the water. The phrase implies a specific departure or intention to navigate the sea, not just general movement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put to sea" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating the action of a vessel commencing a voyage or leaving a port. It describes the act of setting out onto the ocean. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "put to sea" is a phrasal verb that accurately describes a vessel leaving port to begin a voyage. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and commonly used. While synonyms like "set sail" exist, "put to sea" often conveys a more deliberate or traditional tone. It's frequently found in news articles, encyclopedias and historical texts, making it suitable for neutral to slightly formal writing. When using this phrase, ensure the context involves a purposeful departure onto the ocean, as it is not merely about general movement on the water. It is important to consider source's categories like News & Media which accounts for 35%, and Wiki with the 25%.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

set sail

A more general and common synonym for beginning a sea journey.

begin the voyage

A simple and direct way of expressing the start of a sea journey.

leave port

Focuses on the departure from a harbor or dock.

head out to sea

Suggests a specific direction towards the open ocean.

get underway

A nautical term indicating that a vessel has started moving.

weigh anchor

Specifically refers to the act of lifting the anchor to begin a voyage.

sail away

A more poetic and less formal way to describe leaving by sea.

embark on a voyage

More formal and emphasizes the journey aspect.

start the maritime journey

Emphasizes the maritime aspect of the voyage.

set off on a cruise

Implies a leisure trip on the sea.

FAQs

How do you use "put to sea" in a sentence?

You can use "put to sea" to describe a ship leaving a port or harbor, as in, "The fishing fleet "put to sea" early in the morning."

What is another way to say "put to sea"?

Alternatives to "put to sea" include "set sail", "leave port", or "begin the voyage" depending on the context.

Is "put to sea" formal or informal?

"Put to sea" is neither highly formal nor informal; it's suitable for neutral to slightly formal contexts, particularly when discussing maritime activities.

What does it mean to "weigh anchor" before putting to sea?

"Weigh anchor" specifically refers to the act of lifting the anchor before a ship "puts to sea". It's a more specific action within the broader process of departing.