sculling

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'sculling' is a correct and usable term in written English.
It refers to the act of rowing a boat using a pair of oars, one in each hand. It is often used in the context of competitive rowing or as a leisure activity. Example: She spent her afternoons sculling on the lake, enjoying the peacefulness of the water and the rhythmic motion of her oars.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

How could they relate to a comedy about chaps in red-and-orange blazers sculling to Hampton Court and getting lost in the hedge maze there?"People find this book a bit hard to understand," admits William Luk, a bookseller in Rumbek, the war-scarred capital of Bahr el-Ghazal province.

The Economist

A true rowboat or sculling boat has an easy motion through the water and, most important, glides between strokes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Eakins in fact often included himself as an observer in his own paintings—sculling in the background behind his friend in Max Schmitt in a Single Scull, peering intently at a surgical operation in The Agnew Clinic (1889), or treading water next to his setter dog Harry and watching a group of students swimming in The Swimming Hole (1885).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Although these mountain streams flow swiftly through rocky channels and gorges, they are navigable to skillful boatmen using sampans (small, roofed boats propelled by sculling), right up to the mountains.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The term rowing refers to the use of a single oar grasped in both hands, while sculling involves the use of two oars, one grasped in each hand.

Encyclopedia Britannica

On breaking surface, the pectoral fins are expanded, but the lower lobe of the tail remains in the water, sculling rapidly and accelerating the fish.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Undulations move along the body in propulsive waves that culminate, like oar sculling, in straight-line forward thrust.

The New Yorker

I began running ten miles every morning and sculling down the Hudson nightly.

The New Yorker

His first ambition was to be a single sculler, but he wasn't good enough; in the 1985 world championship, Redgrave stopped sculling in the middle of the race.

The New Yorker

He loved playing tennis, snow skiing, waterskiing, windsurfing and sculling.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

As an image of marital commitment, this strenuous sculling-to-nowhere is as bleak as it gets.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sculling" to specifically denote rowing with two oars, one in each hand, differentiating it from sweep rowing where each rower uses only one oar.

Common error

Avoid using "sculling" interchangeably with sweep rowing. "Sculling" involves two oars per person, while sweep rowing involves one oar per person. Using the terms incorrectly can mislead readers about the activity being described.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "sculling" is that of a present participle of the verb scull. Ludwig shows its frequent use in describing an action in progress, especially in sports and recreational contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Encyclopedias

29%

Science

27%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sculling" is a grammatically correct and frequently used term, particularly in News & Media and Encyclopedias, to describe the act of rowing a boat with two oars. Ludwig confirms its common usage and acceptability in written English. It's crucial to distinguish "sculling" from sweep rowing, as they involve different techniques. When writing, specify the context to avoid ambiguity and ensure clarity. The term functions effectively to describe both recreational and competitive rowing activities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rowing with two oars

Specifies the method of propulsion in a more descriptive way.

propelling a boat with sculls

Rephrases the action using more formal terminology.

using sculls to row

Emphasizes the tool used for rowing.

single sculling

Highlights performing the activity solo.

maneuvering a rowboat

Focuses on the act of guiding the boat.

oar handling

Refers to the skill involved in using oars.

water gliding with oars

Emphasizes the smooth movement through water.

boat propelling

Highlights the act of moving the boat forward.

rowing technique

Focuses on the method and skill of rowing.

paddling with two oars

Uses a synonym for rowing, focusing on the use of two oars.

FAQs

How is "sculling" different from regular rowing?

"Sculling" involves using two oars, one in each hand, to propel a boat, while rowing typically refers to sweep rowing, where each rower uses only one oar.

What equipment is needed for "sculling"?

You need a "scull" (a specialized boat for sculling), two oars (also called sculls), and appropriate safety gear such as a life vest.

What are the different types of "sculling" boats?

Common types include single sculls, double sculls, and quad sculls, accommodating one, two, or four rowers respectively.

What's the difference between "sculling" and "sweep rowing"?

"Sculling" involves using two oars per person, whereas "sweep rowing" involves one oar per person. This difference affects the technique and boat configuration used in each activity.