run water over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "run water over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in a variety of contexts, such as when instructing someone to perform a task or describing an action that has occurred. For example, "She ran water over the dishes to clean them."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Let's listen to the concert and then go home, he said and turned, walking to the sink to run water over his hands before going back into the club.

The New Yorker

"When they run water over the top of them, there's not anything you can do," said Pat Sheldon, the president of a rural levee district in southwest Iowa that was still paying off repairs from the 2011 flood.

The New York Times

To avoid the mixture sticking, keep your hands wet and intermittently run water over the kebabs as you make them.

BBC

Tomita's ideas on manta ray breathing were based on adults, which generally run water over their gills by swimming with their mouths agape.

Science Magazine

If you like, you can run water over them and rub them gently between your fingers to loosen the skins, which can be discarded, but this is not a necessary step.

Los Angeles Times

Run water over your toothbrush.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Mr. Smith took the boy to the bathroom and ran water over him, they said, before hanging him up by his T-shirt.

The New York Times

First, people will no longer be taken for granted in rural seats, particularly in those electorates that suffer from loss of services, including running water, over vast distances.

The Guardian

In one, his father paced upstairs, creaked chairs, painted, while his mother, downstairs, played records, ran water over dishes, laughed on the telephone, her voice trailing up the curve of the long stair.

The New Yorker

He watches his mother, humming as she runs water over lettuce.

University of Chicago

I dunked it in a pool, ran water over it, threw it around, and even (accidentally) nicked the edge.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing first aid, remember to "run water over" a burn immediately to cool the area and minimize tissue damage.

Common error

When cleaning delicate items, don't "run water over" them with too much force, as it could cause damage. Use a gentle stream instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "run water over" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating the action of allowing water to flow across a surface or object. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is versatile and readily applicable in various scenarios. The examples showcase its use in contexts ranging from cleaning to first aid.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Wiki

42%

News & Media

37%

Science

11%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "run water over" is a versatile and grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe the action of allowing water to flow across a surface. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, including cleaning, cooling, and first aid. Its neutral register and common usage make it a practical expression for everyday communication. While "run water over" is widely understood, considering synonyms like "rinse with water" or "wash under water" can add nuance to your writing. Remember to avoid excessive water pressure when cleaning delicate items.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rinse with water

Focuses on cleansing by washing something with water.

wash under water

Highlights the action of cleaning something while it is placed directly under a water source.

apply water to

A more general term for putting water on something, without necessarily implying a continuous flow.

flush with water

Suggests using a sudden gush of water to clean a surface.

douse with water

Indicates applying a large amount of water quickly and often forcefully.

splash with water

Implies applying water in a less controlled, more scattered manner.

shower with water

Suggests using a shower-like stream of water for cleansing.

irrigate with water

Commonly refers to supplying land or crops with water but can be used more broadly.

pour water on

Focuses on the action of dispensing water from a container directly onto a surface.

cleanse with water

Highlights the purification or hygienic effect of applying water.

FAQs

How to use "run water over" in a sentence?

You can use "run water over" to describe the action of washing something, like "Run water over the vegetables to clean them" or to cool something down, as in "Run water over the burn to relieve the pain".

What can I say instead of "run water over"?

You can use alternatives like "rinse with water", "wash under water", or "apply water to" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to "run water over" something?

It's appropriate to "run water over" something when you need to clean it, cool it down, or remove residue. For example, you might "run water over" a wound, dishes, or vegetables.

Is there a difference between "run water over" and "pour water over"?

While both phrases involve applying water, "run water over" implies a continuous flow of water, whereas "pour water on" suggests dispensing water from a container, possibly in a single burst.