river of water

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "river of water" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large body of flowing water, often in a poetic or metaphorical context. Example: "As we stood on the bank, the river of water glistened under the sunlight, reflecting the beauty of nature."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Travel

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Anyway, It brought a river of water that slaughtered my worms.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Here, the flame came up like this, like a river of water.

The New York Times

A tiny strawberry, only half-red, floated in a river of water between the crop rows.

The New York Times

While the rain sluiced through the flapping plastic on her windows, a river of water coursed from the third floor to the basement, turning the Sheetrock into gum.

The New York Times

A river of water pushed debris and sand throughout a bustling section of the town's waterfront just as darkness was settling on the 150,000-person city.

The Guardian

A riptide is basically a river of water flowing fast back out to sea when the tide is going out after the waves have persistently pushed water ashore.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Along the main street, rivers of water run and skinny children wait for a school bus.

The Guardian - Film

The player drives over hills and bridges, through tunnels and across rivers of water or ice.

The New York Times - Tech

Heckscher, Central Park's oldest playground, just off Central Park South, is hard to beat with its rivers of water and sprinklers separated into areas for older and younger children.

The New York Times - Travel

At huge cost and great risk to the environment, the government plans to rechannel vast rivers of water from the Yangtze basin to the thirsty north, over three pathways of nearly 1,000 miles each.

The New York Times

The rain destroyed the mud walls of the camp; rivers of water carried them away.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "river of water" to evoke a vivid image of a substantial water flow, especially when emphasizing the natural force or abundance of water. For metaphorical use, ensure the context aligns with the imagery of a powerful, continuous current.

Common error

Avoid using "river of water" when a simpler term like "river" suffices. Overusing descriptive phrases can dilute the impact of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "river of water" functions primarily as a noun phrase, specifying a body of flowing water. It is often used descriptively to emphasize the abundance or force of the water. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is perfectly valid, even if sometimes redundant.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Books

10%

Less common in

Travel

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "river of water" is a grammatically correct and relatively common expression used to describe a flowing body of water. While often considered redundant as "river" alone usually suffices, the addition of "of water" can add emphasis or a descriptive element, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts, lending itself to neutral to descriptive registers. When writing, remember that while it's acceptable, using "river of water" should be a deliberate choice to enhance imagery rather than a default expression. Alternatives like "stream of water" or "flow of water" can offer more nuanced descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stream of water

Focuses on a smaller, narrower flow compared to a river.

flow of water

Emphasizes the act of water moving rather than the body of water itself.

watercourse

A more formal term referring to a channel in which a stream of water runs.

torrent of water

Describes a fast, powerful and abundant flow of water.

rush of water

Highlights the speed and suddenness of the water's movement.

body of water

A general term for any significant accumulation of water.

deluge of water

Emphasizes an overwhelming amount of water.

water flow

A simple term specifying the movement of water.

current of water

Highlights the continuous movement of water in a specific direction.

basin of water

Focuses on the area that contains water.

FAQs

What does "river of water" mean?

The phrase "river of water" describes a large, flowing body of water. It's often used to emphasize the size or force of the water, or to create a vivid image. While sometimes redundant, it can add emphasis or poetic flair.

Is "river of water" redundant? Can I just say "river"?

Yes, using just "river" is often sufficient. However, "river of water" can be used for emphasis or in descriptive writing when you want to highlight the water itself. The appropriateness depends on the specific context.

What are some alternatives to "river of water"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "stream of water", "flow of water", or "watercourse". Each has a slightly different nuance.

When is it appropriate to use "river of water" instead of just "river"?

Use "river of water" when you want to emphasize the presence, volume, or movement of the water itself, perhaps in a descriptive or metaphorical context. For example, "The bridge collapsed under the sheer weight of the river of water."