rivers

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rivers" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to large natural streams of water that flow across the land, often as part of a geographical or environmental discussion. Example: "The Amazon and Nile are two of the longest rivers in the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Environment

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Lib Dems lost to NOC at South Somerset, Three Rivers and Watford.

The Guardian

What are the small rivers that run into the Nile?

The Guardian

The northwest coastal rivers are currently the subject of a flood watch.

The Guardian

Other bills in the package included measures to push public pension plans to divest in coal companies, require cities to include climate considerations in their general plans, and a proposal to study atmospheric rivers to increase water supply reliability.

The Guardian

Your job: to cross roads, rail tracks and rivers with a host of characters, hitting restart after every splat to get them back into the action.

The Guardian - Tech

Guyana is below sea-level at high tide (hence the muddy rivers) and so a protective sea wall stretches for miles and buildings are slightly raised from the ground.

The Guardian - Travel

Yet it was that April that Powell made his "rivers of blood" speech on immigration.

The Guardian

The river is bigger in volume than its six nearest rivals combined and discharges into the ocean about 20% of the total freshwater of all the rivers in the world.

The Guardian

Now, it may be a clichéd subject, but when I told a few people in my class that I'm reading Mansfield Park they gawped at me like I was a rare and exotic fish from the deepest depths of the South American jungle rivers (when in fact it was they who looked like fish – gawping is not a good look!).

The Guardian

Indeed, Guyana means "land of many waters", after its 300 waterfalls and the numerous rum-coloured rivers snaking through it.

The Guardian - Travel

Loch Shiel and Mull in Scotland are two possible locations; Blacktoft Sands RSPB reserve, at the confluence of the rivers Ouse and Trent, again in East Yorkshire, is a great wintering site; and there's Orkney or the Forest of Bowland in Lancashire.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "rivers", specify which river system you are referring to. This helps avoid ambiguity and adds clarity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using overly generic adjectives to describe "rivers" like "nice" or "pretty". Instead, use specific descriptors that convey unique characteristics, such as "turbulent", "meandering", or "historic".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "rivers" is as a plural noun, referring to multiple natural flowing watercourses. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is used to denote geographical features or environmental elements, consistent with examples found in news and travel contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Travel

17%

Environment

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Arts

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "rivers" functions as a plural noun, commonly used to describe geographical features and environmental concerns. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent appearance in varied contexts, particularly in news, travel, and environmental writing. Its usage is typically neutral, fitting both formal and informal registers. When using "rivers", clarity is enhanced by specifying the river system involved, and avoiding vague descriptions can improve writing quality. Alternatives such as "waterways", "streams", or "watercourses" can be employed depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

watercourses

Replaces "rivers" with a more formal term for natural channels of water.

waterways

Similar to "rivers", but may also include canals and other navigable bodies of water.

streams

A general term for flowing water, often smaller than rivers.

tributaries

Focuses on rivers that flow into a larger river or body of water.

estuaries

Refers to the tidal mouth of a river, where it meets the sea.

river systems

Emphasizes the interconnected network of a main river and its tributaries.

flowing waters

A more descriptive phrase that evokes the movement of water.

aquatic ecosystems

Broader term that encompasses all living organisms and their environment within rivers.

riparian zones

Refers to the interface between a river and its adjacent land area.

hydrographic networks

A technical term for the arrangement of river systems in a geographical area.

FAQs

How can I use "rivers" in a sentence?

You can use "rivers" to describe geographical features, environmental issues, or even metaphorical flows. For example, "The Amazon and Nile are the world's longest rivers", or "Initiatives are needed to clean polluted rivers".

What are some alternatives to the word "rivers"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "waterways", "streams", or "watercourses".

When is it appropriate to use the term "river systems" instead of "rivers"?

"River systems" is best used when referring to the interconnected network of a main river and its tributaries, emphasizing the relationship between multiple "rivers" rather than individual bodies of water.

What is the significance of "rivers" in environmental discussions?

"Rivers" are vital to ecosystems and human societies, providing fresh water, transportation, and supporting biodiversity. Discussions often revolve around pollution, conservation, and sustainable management of these "rivers".