sea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sea" is correct and usable in written English, depending on the context.
You can use it when referring to a large body of saltwater that covers most of the Earth's surface or in metaphorical expressions related to vastness or depth. Example: "The sea was calm, reflecting the colors of the sunset."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

The official, who asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the issue, said photographs from North Korea showing a rocket launched from the sea appeared to be authentic.

The Guardian

"If what I have been told is true then it will be obvious to everyone that I find myself caught between the devil and the deep blue sea.

The Guardian

The defence ministers of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania were meeting on Thursday and the situation in the Baltic sea would be the "number one topic of the meeting", Siemoniak said.

The Guardian

A November report by a British thinktank noted a rise in close military encounters between Russia and the west this year, including "violations of national airspace, emergency scrambles, narrowly avoided mid-air collisions, close encounters at sea, simulated attack runs and other dangerous actions happening on a regular basis over a very wide geographical area".

The Guardian

Lucky for me, we weren't, as it may sound, in the Sahara desert, we were on the Atlantic coast, so I simply stripped down to my bikini and ran into the sea.

The Guardian - Travel

So, if we are going to be tough on border protection to avoid people drowning at sea, we also need to be compassionate by increasing the humanitarian refugee intake.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

The ice around the edge of Antarctica is melting faster than previously thought, potentially unlocking metres of sea-level rise in the long-term, researchers have warned.

The Guardian

Ginger is widely believed to help nausea, with some evidence that it is better than placebo in morning sickness and sea-sickness though not necessarily in IBS.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Furious Labour officials insisted that Miliband had repeatedly said he would not strike any deal with the SNP on Trident and has committed his party irrevocably to a continuous at-sea deterrent involving four submarines, if that is the view of the Royal Navy.

The Guardian

"When you have jets being flown up the English Channel, when you have submarines in the North Sea, it looks to me like it's warming up".

The Guardian

It has the second largest oil reserves among the former Soviet republics after Russia, and its oil exports are expected to soar as its huge Kashagan oil field, in the Caspian Sea, develops.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be mindful of idiomatic expressions involving "sea", such as "at sea" (confused) or "a sea change" (a major transformation).

Common error

Avoid using "sea" when you mean "see", the verb for perceiving with your eyes. For example, instead of "I sea the boat", use "I see the boat".

Linguistic Context

The noun "sea" primarily functions as a referential noun, denoting a large body of saltwater. It can also function metaphorically to represent vastness or abundance, as shown by Ludwig AI in the example "a sea of faces" or can be also an abbreviation to refer to Southeast Asia.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Travel

15%

Opinion

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "sea" is a common and versatile noun, primarily used to denote a large body of saltwater but also employed metaphorically to express vastness or abundance. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in diverse contexts, spanning from news reports to travel writing. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various levels of formality. To ensure clarity, pay attention to its homophone "see" and remember idioms like "at "sea"" for nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ocean

Refers to a larger and often deeper body of saltwater than a "sea".

marine environment

Focuses on the ecological aspect of the "sea", encompassing all living organisms and their interactions within it.

coastal waters

Emphasizes the proximity to the coast, referring to the "sea" areas near the shoreline.

seascape

Highlights the visual aspect of the "sea", referring to a view or scene of the "sea".

deep blue

Evokes the color and depth of the "sea", often used poetically or figuratively.

the high seas

Refers to the open ocean, far from land.

saltwater body

A general term for any body of water with a high salt content, including seas and oceans.

aquatic realm

A more general term encompassing all bodies of water, both freshwater and saltwater.

maritime domain

Relates to the strategic and economic importance of the "sea", particularly in terms of shipping and trade.

water expanse

Highlights the vastness of the "sea", focusing on its extensive surface area.

FAQs

How is "sea" used in a sentence?

The word "sea" can be used to describe a large body of saltwater. For example, "The ship sailed across the "sea"".

What's the difference between "sea" and "ocean"?

"Sea" and "ocean" are both large bodies of saltwater, but oceans are generally larger and deeper than seas. Seas are often partially enclosed by land.

What are some common idioms using "sea"?

Common idioms include "at "sea"" (meaning confused or uncertain), "a "sea change"" (a significant transformation), and "the "deep blue sea"" (referring to the vastness of the ocean).

Is it ever correct to use "sea" metaphorically?

Yes, "sea" can be used metaphorically to describe a large quantity or expanse of something. For example, "a "sea of faces"" means a large crowd of people.