rocking on the ground

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rocking on the ground" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a motion or action where something is swaying or moving back and forth while in contact with the ground. Example: "The child was happily rocking on the ground, lost in her own world of imagination."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Rock gently up and down on your spine, slowly increasing your motion until every part of your back (except your neck) is rocking on the ground.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Rock the Vote's on-the-ground State Coordinator, Kyle Hamm, who is registering young voters in conjunction with New Era Colorado in Denver, reports to our DC headquarters that many young people took advantage of the state's mail-in ballot system and were highly energized by candidates who reached out to them.

Huffington Post

Members of the band Death Cab for Cutie are booked for acoustic performances, Moby will be spinning records at late-night parties, and various outdoor shows will align rock and hip-hop acts with on-the-ground activists.

The New York Times

Brady, a two-time league most valuable player entering his 14th N.F.L. season, rocked backward on the ground after falling down and held his left knee.

The New York Times - Sports

Worshipers gather there in the bush, the ritual boundaries of their outdoor churches demarcated with rocks on the ground.

The New York Times - Magazine

The same way you might find a rock on the ground and pick it up and carry it with you.

The Guardian - Music

Overcome by fury, Abigail spies a fist-size rock on the ground and "fires" it into the air, "hoping to make Kathy dodge away in fear".

The New Yorker

Their little son, absorbed by some worm or rock on the ground, has already adjusted to the change of scene, as children do.

The New Yorker

The art installations glowing in the dusty darkness include a pair of crystal rocks on the ground next to some portable toilets.

The Guardian - Music

According to Kehm, Schumacher hit a rock on the ground that saw him "catapulted in the air" before landing "apparently head down" onto another rock, with the impact splitting his helmet in two.

Independent

But as he drives from his well to a neighbor's, looks at the crushed rocks on the ground and listens to the pipes clanging like an outsize radiator, he ponders what such changes would mean for the national forest.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "rocking on the ground", ensure the context clearly indicates the type of rocking motion intended. For example, specify if it's a gentle sway or a more forceful movement to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "rocking on the ground" when a different type of motion, like rolling or sliding, is more accurate. Using a more precise term enhances clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rocking on the ground" functions as a verb phrase describing an action or state of motion relative to a surface. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Examples show it describing physical movement or positioning.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rocking on the ground" is grammatically correct and used to describe a back-and-forth or swaying motion while in contact with the ground, as validated by Ludwig. While usable in various contexts, it appears most commonly in news, wiki and science, with more specific phrasing preferred in formal settings. When using "rocking on the ground", ensure the context clearly communicates the intended type of motion to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "swaying on the surface" or "oscillating on the ground" may provide more precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

swaying on the surface

Replaces "rocking" with "swaying", focusing on a gentle, side-to-side movement.

wobbling on the ground

Emphasizes instability and unsteady movement.

oscillating on the ground

Uses "oscillating" to describe a rhythmic back-and-forth movement specifically.

teetering on the ground

Similar to wobbling, but suggests being close to falling.

moving on the ground

A more general term replacing "rocking" with "moving", broadening the type of motion.

shaking on the ground

Indicates a rapid trembling motion.

rolling on the ground

Specifies a circular type of motion.

bouncing on the ground

Implies a repeated up-and-down motion.

balancing on the earth

Replaces "ground" with "earth" and implies a state of equilibrium, however precarious.

situated on the ground

Shifts the focus to location rather than motion, indicating something is simply placed on the ground.

FAQs

How can I use "rocking on the ground" in a sentence?

You can use "rocking on the ground" to describe something moving back and forth on the ground. For example: "The cradle was "rocking on the ground" after the baby kicked it."

What does "rocking on the ground" mean?

"Rocking on the ground" describes a back-and-forth or swaying motion while in contact with the ground. It implies a rhythmic movement along the surface.

What are some alternatives to "rocking on the ground"?

Alternatives include "swaying on the surface", "moving on the ground", or "oscillating on the ground", depending on the specific type of motion you want to convey.

Is "rocking on the ground" formal or informal language?

"Rocking on the ground" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both informal and formal contexts, although more precise language may be preferred in highly formal writing.