rippling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rippling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a gentle, undulating movement or effect, often associated with water or sound. Example: "The rippling water reflected the sunlight beautifully as we sat by the lake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The river Wye runs through the garden where there is also a rippling waterfall.

The Guardian - Travel

The rippling black Aegean, the stars, the lights twinkling all the way down to the bay: it took my breath away.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A sharp decline in the value of Russia's ruble since early September is rippling across Central Asia, where economies are dependent on transfers from workers in Russia, and on imports too.

The Guardian

Outside and we're past a sausage-seller and hot dog guy on the corner, their fading signs the same since 1988, their patter of hot-doggy-hot-doggy rippling through the wood-smoke like ancient rites, something like it.

The Guardian - Sport

When she won her party's leadership contest back in March, you could sense two conflicting reactions rippling through the Welsh nationalists' collective psyche: excitement about such a radical politician taking the top job; and from more conservative quarters, a real trepidation about what she might do with her new role.

The Guardian

Mann's movie was also the last of its kind for 36 years, the genre subsequently having fallen out of favour.Where "Demetrius and the Gladiators" had all the intelligence of a comic strip, with rippling muscles, scarlet women and an all-out assault on eyes and ears, "The Fall of the Roman Empire", mindful of Gibbon, strove for sobriety and historical accuracy.

The Economist

The waves from the World Trade Centre have not stopped rippling yet.

The Economist

New Street, the main station, is being expanded and covered in rippling steel cladding.

The Economist

The air is musty and mote-filled, rippling only when trains pass through the defunct platforms.Brompton Road station closed in 1934 though it was used as the headquarters of an anti-aircraft division during the Blitz, and, according to a senior officer in the RAF squadron that now occupies part of the building, the renegade Nazi Rudolf Hess was interrogated there.

The Economist

This rippling suggested a series of rings crossing in front of the star in advance of, and then behind, the profile of the transiting planet.In this section New-look passports Hair tonic American express?

The Economist

In the 1990s Billabong rode the crest of rippling worldwide interest in surfing, but in December it issued a profit warning.Rupert Murdoch stepped down from the boards of News Corporation's British newspapers.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rippling" to describe gentle, visually appealing undulations or subtle but noticeable effects, such as "rippling" water or a "rippling" influence across an industry. Avoid using it for forceful or abrupt movements.

Common error

Avoid applying "rippling" too broadly as a metaphor for any kind of effect. It's most effective when the effect genuinely resembles a wave-like spread or has a visual association with water-like undulations.

Linguistic Context

Rippling primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something exhibiting a wave-like motion or effect. Ludwig provides examples where "rippling" describes physical phenomena (water, cladding) and abstract concepts (emotions, economic effects). The Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rippling" is a versatile adjective used to describe gentle wave-like movements or the gradual spread of an effect. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent usage in diverse contexts, particularly in news, encyclopedias and scientific writing. While it can be used metaphorically, avoid overuse by considering more precise alternatives like ""undulating"" or "spreading" depending on the nuance you wish to convey. The phrase is commonly found in authoritative sources such as The Economist and The Guardian, making it a reliable choice for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undulating

Focuses on the wave-like motion or form, similar to "rippling" but often on a larger scale.

waving

Describes a more pronounced or visible motion, whereas "rippling" can be more subtle.

corrugated

Implies a series of parallel ridges or folds, similar to a "rippling" surface but more structured.

billowing

Suggests a swelling or surging movement, different from the gentler nature of "rippling".

cascading

Describes something falling or flowing in a series, creating a "rippling" effect.

spreading

Indicates an expansion or dissemination, where "rippling" can describe the nature of that spread.

emanating

Focuses on the source of something spreading outwards, while "rippling" describes the resulting pattern.

reverberating

Emphasizes the echoing or resonating quality of an effect, distinct from the visual or physical sense of "rippling".

echoing

Similar to reverberating but less intense, suggesting a weaker or more distant effect than "rippling".

spiraling

Describes a twisting or winding motion, unlike the back-and-forth movement of "rippling".

FAQs

How can I use "rippling" in a sentence?

You can use "rippling" to describe a gentle wave-like motion, as in "The "rippling water" reflected the sky", or to describe an effect that spreads gradually, such as "The news sent shockwaves "rippling through" the community".

What words are similar to "rippling"?

Words similar to "rippling" include "undulating", "waving", and "corrugated", each conveying a sense of wave-like movement or surface texture.

Is it correct to say "rippling effect"?

Yes, "rippling effect" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase to describe a situation where an initial action or event causes a series of related consequences, much like ripples spreading across water.

Can "rippling" be used to describe sound?

Yes, "rippling" can be used to describe sound, particularly when the sound has a flowing or undulating quality, such as "rippling patter" of rain or the sound of water running over stones.