saturate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "saturate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of soaking or filling something completely, often in contexts related to liquids or colors. Example: "The rain began to saturate the ground, making it muddy and difficult to walk on."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We've got to get a hurricane to move up in our country and just saturate everything to replenish the aquifer," he said.

The Guardian

None took up the offer.In a land where pious words saturate airwaves and canonical texts fill bookshelves, the prominence of relatively secular types like Mr Qimani marks a trend.Their following may be tiny compared with the adulation enjoyed by Mr Qaradawi.

The Economist

Now, having seen how useful it is to be able to saturate the airwaves with ads praising himself and damning his opponent, he has slithered away from that vow.

The Economist

As Wal-Mart begins to saturate the bits of America that like it, it is having to turn more of its attention to those which do not.

The Economist

Politicians cannot shake enough hands and therefore need to saturate the media to make themselves known.

The Economist

When the weight of a snow cover is sufficient to overcome the buoyancy of the ice supporting it, it is usual for the ice to become submerged and for water to flow through cracks in the ice and saturate the snow, which then freezes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Rods respond to single photons of light with large electrical signals, which means that the electrical responses saturate at low rates of photon capture by the rhodopsin molecules.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Such separations can be effected in solutions or when the proteins saturate a stationary medium such as cellulose (filter paper), starch, or acrylamide gels.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The amount of water required to saturate a volume of air depends on the temperature of the air.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This gas can be accessed by drilling wells into the coal seam and pumping out large quantities of water that saturate the seam.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Then Ed doesn't plug/saturate the one argument place in the property of running (i.e. doesn't possess this property).

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a visual effect, consider using "saturate" to convey the intensity of colors. For example, "The sunset "saturate"d the sky with vibrant hues."

Common error

Avoid using "saturate" when a more nuanced verb like "influence" or "affect" would be more appropriate. "Saturate" implies complete filling, which might not be accurate for abstract concepts.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "saturate" is as a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it describes the action of completely filling or permeating something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "saturate" is a versatile verb used to describe the act of completely filling or permeating something. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is frequently encountered in news, encyclopedia entries, and scientific publications. While generally neutral in tone, its specific context determines its formality level. Pay attention to the nuances of similar words and remember that "permeate" or "imbue" may work better in some cases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

saturate thoroughly

Adds emphasis to the completeness of the saturation.

permeate

Suggests a more gradual and pervasive spread throughout something.

imbue

Implies filling something with a particular quality or essence.

drench

Focuses on the act of soaking something thoroughly with liquid.

soak

Similar to drench but can also apply to non-liquid substances.

infuse

Suggests a gentle and thorough introduction of something into another thing.

inundate

Implies overwhelming something with a large quantity of something, often water or information.

engross

Captures the idea of completely absorbing someone's attention.

charge

Emphasizes the effect of a large amount of something, frequently energy.

fill completely

A more literal way of expressing the idea of saturation.

FAQs

How can I use "saturate" in a sentence?

You can use "saturate" to describe the act of filling something completely, often with a liquid, color, or idea. For example, "The rain "saturate"d the ground," or "Advertisements "saturate" evening television".

What words can I use instead of "saturate"?

You can use alternatives like "permeate", "imbue", or "drench", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "saturate" when referring to the market?

Yes, you can use "saturate" to describe filling a market with a product to the point where demand is met or exceeded. For example, "They plan to "saturate" the market with their new product".

What's the difference between "saturate" and "soak"?

"Saturate" implies a more complete filling or permeation than "soak". While "soak" suggests absorption, "saturate" suggests that the object is completely filled or permeated.