river of mud

USAGE SUMMARY

"river of mud" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a large amount of muddy water flowing or moving in a similar manner to a river. Example: After the heavy rain, the streets were flooded with a river of mud, making it difficult for cars to pass through.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

When he looked back, there was only a river of mud.

The Guardian

Tiny La Pintada mourned its missing Friday as soldiers continued to search the river of mud for victims.

The New York Times

To move between fields on Friday, every festivalgoer had to ford an ankle-high river of mud.

The New York Times

By Tuesday, a heavy river of mud had replaced the water on Flat Street in Brattleboro, according to the Brattleboro Reformer, a local newspaper.

The New York Times

The tropical storm, designated Lingling, hit the southern island of Camiguin on Wednesdsay, sending a river of mud and boulders tumbling from the hills, flattening hundreds of houses.

The New York Times

Soldiers continued their search Friday for 68 missing people in La Pintada, a coffee-growing village in Guerrero State where a hillside had given way and a river of mud poured over the town's center.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Deforested hillsides, waterlogged after days of rain, collapse in rivers of mud, burying whole villages.

The Economist

When it rained, rivers of mud poured through the flimsy tents.

The Guardian - Opinion

The sky was thunderous, the lanes turned to rivers of mud.

The Guardian - Music

Television videos showed devastated neighborhoods filled with rivers of mud that had ripped homes from their foundations and carried them away.

The New York Times

Downpours on Friday and Saturday created raging rivers of mud which tore through the densely populated Bab el Oued, levelling high buildings, destroying ramshackle homes and overturning cars.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "river of mud" to vividly describe the aftermath of heavy rainfall or natural disasters where soil and water combine to create a flowing, destructive force.

Common error

Avoid using "river of mud" to simply describe a flooded area. This phrase specifically implies a thick, viscous flow containing significant soil or sediment, not just clear or lightly contaminated water.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "river of mud" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as a subject or object within a sentence. Ludwig AI indicates its common usage in describing natural disasters.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

10%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "river of mud" is a common and grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe a destructive flow of mud and debris, often resulting from natural disasters. Ludwig AI confirms its typical usage in descriptive writing and news reports. Its neutral register allows for versatile application. While alternatives like "mudslide" or "torrent of mud" exist, "river of mud" provides a vivid image of the event's scale and impact. It's crucial to differentiate it from simple flooding by emphasizing the presence of soil and sediment in the flow. Ludwig's analysis highlights the phrase's effectiveness in conveying the severity and destructive nature of such occurrences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stream of mud

Similar to river, but suggests a smaller quantity or flow.

torrent of mud

Emphasizes the forceful and rapid flow of mud.

muddy torrent

Inverts the structure while retaining the core meaning of a forceful mud flow.

deluge of mud

Highlights the overwhelming and copious amount of mud.

mudflow

A more concise term referring specifically to a flow of mud.

mudslide

Another concise term for a slide composed primarily of mud.

flow of slurry

Replaces 'mud' with a more technical term, 'slurry', for a semi-fluid mixture.

landslide

Refers to the broader event of earth and debris moving downhill, which may include a "river of mud".

viscous flow

Focuses on the thick, flowing nature of the mud.

earthflow

Emphasizes the slow and viscous flow of soil material, often saturated with water.

FAQs

How is "river of mud" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "river of mud" is often used to describe the destructive aftermath of landslides or heavy rainfall, such as, "The landslide sent a "river of mud" through the town".

What are some alternative phrases for "river of mud"?

Alternatives include "mudflow", "torrent of mud", or "mudslide", each emphasizing a slightly different aspect of the phenomenon.

Is "river of mud" a formal or informal expression?

The phrase "river of mud" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but it is often found in news reports and descriptive writing.

What is the difference between a "river of mud" and a flood?

A "river of mud" implies a thick, soil-laden flow, whereas a flood typically refers to an overflow of water. The former carries substantial sediment, making it more destructive.