slurry

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'slurry' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the word 'slurry' to refer to a liquid mixture of fine particles suspended in a liquid. For example, "The slurry created by the factory discharge was toxic and harmful to the local aquatic life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

They are building bio-centres – toilet facilities where human slurry is collected and put in a digester which collects the methane emitted from poo as it breaks down.

The Guardian

The current Ranger mine, surrounded by the world heritage national park, was forced to stop production in late 2013 after a leach tank failed, spilling about 1m litres of radioactive and acidic slurry.

The Guardian

The rest of this split round offers slightly varying shades of footballing slurry, we're sorry to say.

The Guardian - Sport

Indeed, one defector says that the half-fed army has been put on manure duty ordered to clean out latrines and slurry pits and spread muck on the spring fields.

The Economist

FOR nine months a torrent of scolding slurry has gushed out of the ground near Sidoarjo in eastern Java.

The Economist

Litter lines the world's roads; dumps dot the landscape; slurry and sewage slosh into rivers and streams.

The Economist

A slurry of water, quartz sand and chemical additives has then to be pumped into the well at high pressure, to fracture the shale and open fissures for the trapped gas to escape.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

TO MAKE an impeller the fan-like part of the pumps that push ore-slurry down a pipeline the folk at Weir's foundry in Todmorden, West Yorkshire, begin with a polystyrene cast coated in ceramic paint.

The Economist

It plans to build a slurry-fuelled power station that will generate enough electricity to power the farm, with plenty left over to sell to the national grid.

The Economist

Water gels, or slurries, were introduced in 1958.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Submarine canyons have steep courses with high walls and funnel occasional dense slurries of water and terrigenous sediment (turbidity currents) to the abyssal seafloor.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "slurry" in technical writing, specify the components and their proportions to ensure clarity. For example, "a coal slurry consisting of 50 percent coal and 50 percent water."

Common error

Avoid using "slurry" to describe solutions where the solid is fully dissolved in the liquid. "Slurry" implies that the solid particles are suspended, not dissolved.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "slurry" is as a noun, referring to a semi-liquid mixture, typically of fine particles suspended in a liquid. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, providing numerous examples from reputable sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Encyclopedias

35%

Science

27%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slurry" is a versatile term referring to a semi-liquid mixture, often of fine particles suspended in a liquid. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various domains, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific literature. While the term is primarily neutral, its usage leans towards formal and technical contexts. Be mindful of the viscosity when using it, avoiding application to fully dissolved solutions. Common related terms include "suspension", "sludge", and "paste". This guide offers best practices and clarifies potential errors, ensuring accurate and effective use of "slurry" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Liquid suspension

Emphasizes the liquid nature of the mixture and the suspended particles.

Fluid mixture

Highlights the fluid consistency and the presence of mixed components.

Suspension

Refers to a mixture where particles are dispersed in a liquid but not dissolved; broader term.

Aqueous suspension

Specifies that the liquid component is water.

Sludge

Implies a thicker, more viscous slurry, often associated with waste or sewage.

Viscous mixture

Describes a thick, sticky slurry.

Grout

Specifically a slurry used to fill gaps or reinforce structures.

Thickened fluid

Indicates that a liquid has been made thicker by adding solid particles.

Paste

A thick, soft, moist mixture of solids and a liquid.

Pulp

A soft, wet, shapeless mass of a substance.

FAQs

How is "slurry" used in construction?

In construction, "slurry" often refers to a mixture of cement, water, and fine aggregates used for filling gaps or creating a smooth surface. It's different from concrete, which contains larger aggregates.

What are the environmental concerns related to "slurry"?

Depending on its composition, "slurry" can pose environmental risks. For example, mining slurry can contain toxic chemicals. Animal slurry, while used as fertilizer, can cause water pollution if not managed properly.

What's the difference between "slurry" and "sludge"?

"Slurry" generally refers to a watery mixture of insoluble matter, while "sludge" is a more viscous, semi-solid mixture often associated with sewage or industrial waste. "Sludge" tends to be thicker and more concentrated than slurry.

Can "slurry" be used as a fuel source?

Yes, coal slurry, a mixture of crushed coal and a liquid (usually water or oil), can be used as a fuel source in power plants. Similarly, animal slurry can be processed to produce biogas, which can then be used as fuel.