sprinkle water

USAGE SUMMARY

"sprinkle water" is a usage of correct and usable English.
You could use it in a variety of contexts, but a simple example might be: "She sprinkled water onto the plants to help them grow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Sprinkle water over the surface.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Then we sprinkle water on ourselves.

The Guardian

Andy Wood, CEO of Adnams, puts it well when he says: 'The job of a leader is to sprinkle water on to talent and allow it to grow'.

The Guardian

Winterbottom thinks nothing of switching from a kind family on the Turkish frontier, who take in the Afghans, feed them, play soccer with them, and sprinkle water and drops of fire to bless their departure, to a sudden hellish slog over the mountains, filmed by night in black-and-white, with snow up to our heroes' knees and gunshots flaring in the distance.

The New Yorker

Sprinkle water over the mixture.

Huffington Post

Sprinkle water in between layers (another important component of composting), but don't soak it.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Do not overwater when using aluminum mulch with cardboard backing, as this type of mulch can only tolerate sprinkle watering.

WikiHow

Outside, a truck was sprinkling water to help settle the dust.

The Guardian

He sprinkles water on her face, reviving her, and offers her some wine.

Britannica

A priest sprinkled water over the remains of victims as he delivered last rites.

The New York Times

Wet umbrellas sprinkling water on the floor, A loud interruption from a sleeping man's snore.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sprinkle water" in instructions, be specific about the purpose. For example, "Sprinkle water on the seeds to keep them moist for germination."

Common error

Avoid saturating the area when you "sprinkle water". The goal is to lightly moisten, not to flood or create standing water.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sprinkle water" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "sprinkle" acts as the verb and "water" as the direct object. This indicates the action of distributing water in a scattered or dispersed manner. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Wiki

33%

News & Media

33%

Science

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sprinkle water" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to describe the action of lightly distributing water. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, ranging from providing instructions on WikiHow to describing environmental actions in News & Media. Its frequency is classified as common, and while it maintains a neutral register, you can use alternatives like "spray water" or "mist water" to add nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spray water

This alternative involves using a device to emit water in a dispersed manner, similar to sprinkling.

mist water

This suggests applying water in a very fine spray or mist.

scatter water

This implies distributing water loosely over a surface.

dab water

This indicates applying small amounts of water gently.

splash water

This refers to casually throwing water, often in small amounts.

drizzle water

This suggests a light, fine application of water, like a gentle rain.

apply water lightly

This is a more descriptive way of saying to use a small amount of water.

distribute water thinly

This emphasizes the even spreading of a small amount of water.

irrigate gently

This implies a controlled and light watering, often used in agricultural contexts.

water lightly

A simple and direct alternative to sprinkle water, conveying the action of adding a small amount of water.

FAQs

How do I use "sprinkle water" in a sentence?

You can use "sprinkle water" to describe the action of lightly applying water, such as "She sprinkled water on the plants" or "Sprinkle water on the dough before baking".

What is the difference between "sprinkle water" and "spray water"?

"Sprinkle water" suggests a gentler, more dispersed application of water, while "spray water" implies using a device to forcefully emit water.

What can I say instead of "sprinkle water"?

You can use alternatives like "mist water", "scatter water", or "dab water" depending on the desired nuance.

Is "sprinkle with water" grammatically correct?

Yes, "sprinkle with water" is also grammatically correct and commonly used. Both "sprinkle water" and "sprinkle with water" are acceptable, though the former is more concise.