rough sea

USAGE SUMMARY

"rough sea" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a tumultuous body of water, e.g. "The captain had to navigate his way through the rough sea to reach port."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Using wind speed as an indicator for sea surface roughness, we find that the SNR analysis performs better in rough sea surface conditions than the phase delay analysis.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

On the rough sea, and smooths its furrow'd face.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Can the ship sustain speed in a rough sea state?

Ocean Engineering

She's swaying on a rough sea of beer.

The New York Times - Magazine

They cannot survive long if they rest on a rough sea.

The New Yorker

This battle lasted several hours in a rough sea, with bad weather and low visibility.

The New York Times

It reminds me of surf breaking on a rough sea under a grey sky.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

An oil of no great subtlety, the painting depicted a sailboat tossing in a rough sea.

The New York Times

In 1950, my Mum travelled by cargo ship over a rough sea from London to Lebanon.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She is pretending that they are boats on a rough sea.

The Guardian

Next to the window, there is a ship on a rough sea.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing maritime conditions in technical reports or scientific papers, use the phrase "rough sea" with a specific sea state number (e.g., "rough sea state 5") for clarity and precision.

Common error

Avoid using "rough sea" interchangeably with terms like "stormy sea" or "heavy seas" without considering the specific intensity of the conditions. "Rough sea" indicates a specific range on the sea state scale, while other terms might imply more severe or different conditions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rough sea" functions primarily as a descriptive noun phrase, where "rough" modifies the noun "sea". It describes a specific condition of the sea. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

42%

Academia

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rough sea" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe turbulent maritime conditions. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's widely used across various contexts, from news reports to scientific papers. While alternatives like "turbulent sea" or "stormy sea" exist, "rough sea" provides a generally understood description of non-calm waters. Usage is particularly frequent in "News & Media" and "Science", indicating its relevance in both general reporting and technical discussions. When using the phrase, consider the specific intensity of the conditions and choose the most appropriate term for accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

turbulent sea

This alternative emphasizes the chaotic and disturbed nature of the sea.

tempestuous sea

Similar to "turbulent sea", but suggests a more violent and prolonged disturbance.

stormy sea

Focuses specifically on the presence of a storm affecting the sea.

violent ocean

Replaces "sea" with "ocean" while maintaining a focus on the intense disturbance.

heavy seas

Emphasizes the size and power of the waves.

agitated sea

Suggests the sea is disturbed and restless.

choppy waters

Describes small, broken waves on the surface, less intense than a "rough sea".

wild sea

Emphasizes the untamed and uncontrolled nature of the sea.

uncalm sea

A more direct and simple way of stating the lack of calmness.

angry sea

Personifies the sea, attributing human-like anger to its turbulent state.

FAQs

How can I use "rough sea" in a sentence?

You can use "rough sea" to describe challenging maritime conditions, such as: "The ship struggled to navigate the "rough sea"." or "The fishermen decided to stay ashore due to the "rough sea" conditions."

What are some alternatives to "rough sea"?

Alternatives include "turbulent sea", "stormy sea", or "choppy waters", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "rough seas" instead of "rough sea"?

Yes, "rough seas" is also correct and commonly used. "Rough sea" typically refers to a general condition, while "rough seas" can emphasize multiple instances or a prolonged period of such conditions.

What factors contribute to a "rough sea"?

A "rough sea" is typically caused by strong winds, storms, or underwater currents, all of which can generate significant wave action and turbulence.