stream of smoke

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stream of smoke" is correct and usable in written English.
You might use it for example to describe a scene in which smoke is blowing out of a chimney in a continuous stream: The sky was grey and a thin stream of smoke drifted steadily from the brick chimney.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

The next time I went to his apartment, he went into his kitchen and a stream of smoke drifted out.

The New Yorker

"Is it a Macanudo?" he says, peering down at the label and exhaling a fine stream of smoke.

The New York Times

The burning heather created a swirling stream of smoke that filled the air with a fresh and clean fragrance.

The New Yorker

"I wonder whether you're telling me the truth?" He inhaled his cigarette, then blew out a stream of smoke.

The Guardian - Books

"It made kind of a U-turn, and then there was a stream of smoke coming from it," she said.

The Guardian

Carcinogenesis sounded a lot like degeneracy, and America was happy to blow a collective stream of smoke in the face of that charge.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

From the very first scene, when a slow stream of weed smoke drifts out of Phoenix's mouth, you're bundled along on a heady and convoluted adventure, encountering neo-Nazi bikers, Black Panthers, and murderous loan sharks, all in a climate of post-Manson-murder paranoia.

Vice

From the very first scene, when a slow stream of weed smoke drifts out of Phoenix's mouth, you're bundled along on a heady and convoluted adventure, encountering neo-Nazi bikers, Black Panthers and murderous loan sharks, all in a climate of post-Manson murder paranoia.

Vice

"We were not sure exactly what happened," he added, saying later that the streams of smoke were perhaps 100 yards away.

The New York Times

As we drove on, the road turned into a rocky track, wound up the slope of a pretty, wooded valley, thin streams of smoke rising from stove pipes, ducks in puddles.

The Guardian

Passive smoking, resulting from the "side stream" effect of smoke produced between puffs, has been shown in animal studies to be four times as toxic as "mainstream" smoke, 36 and this may extend to fetuses during pregnancy.

British Medical Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "stream of smoke", ensure the context clearly indicates a continuous flow rather than a single puff or cloud. For example, use it to describe smoke rising from a chimney or a vehicle's exhaust.

Common error

Avoid using "stream of smoke" to describe stationary or isolated instances of smoke. Instead, use terms like "puff of smoke" or "cloud of smoke" for those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stream of smoke" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object within a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in describing scenes or situations involving continuous smoke emission.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stream of smoke" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase to depict a continuous flow of smoke. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and offers usage examples across diverse contexts, especially in news and scientific writing. Related phrases such as "plume of smoke" or "trail of smoke" provide alternative imagery. When writing, remember to reserve the phrase for scenarios with sustained smoke emission and avoid using it for stationary clouds or isolated puffs. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. As the Ludwig examples highlight, "stream of smoke" effectively conveys a continuous, directional emission of smoke.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

flow of smoke

Similar to "stream", but might suggest a less linear movement.

drift of smoke

Describes a gentle, undirected movement of smoke.

trail of smoke

Highlights the path or trajectory of the smoke.

plume of smoke

Implies a rising column of smoke, often from a fire.

cloud of smoke

Suggests a larger, less defined mass of smoke.

exhalation of smoke

Specifically indicates smoke being emitted from a source.

wisp of smoke

Focuses on a thin, faint emission rather than a substantial flow.

discharge of smoke

Implies a release or emission of smoke, often industrial.

gust of smoke

Emphasizes a sudden burst or puff of smoke.

volume of smoke

Refers to the quantity or amount of smoke.

FAQs

How can I use "stream of smoke" in a sentence?

You can use "stream of smoke" to describe a continuous flow of smoke, such as "A thin stream of smoke rose from the campfire" or "The factory emitted a constant stream of smoke".

What's a good alternative to "stream of smoke"?

Depending on the context, you might use alternatives like "plume of smoke", "trail of smoke", or "drift of smoke". Each emphasizes a different aspect of the smoke's appearance or movement.

Is "stream of smoke" a formal or informal expression?

"Stream of smoke" is a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.

What does "stream of smoke" typically describe?

"Stream of smoke" typically describes a continuous and directed flow of smoke, often implying a sustained source of emission, unlike a "puff of smoke" or a stationary cloud.