struck water

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "struck water" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the context of drilling or digging, indicating that water has been encountered underground. Example: "After several hours of drilling, we finally struck water, which meant we could proceed with the construction of the well."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Instead, they struck water.

The New York Times

Thieves have also struck water purification centers.

The New York Times

He struck water at 60 ft. and quit.

The New Yorker

On a recent Thursday, they finally struck water.

The New York Times

Burials had to be above ground because gravediggers found they quickly struck water.

The New York Times

The contractor sent us a photo when the well workers finally struck water.

MIT Technology Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Farmers digging wells could strike water within eight feet.

The New York Times

Then, they began to hear the terrific noise of a pile-driver, which is something excavators use when they strike water.

The New Yorker

The iPad will do many things, yet I doubt if it will allow users to talk to burning bushes or strike water from a rock.

The Guardian - Tech

And, back on the showground, Darren Hawkes' slatey Cornish plot for Brewin Dolphin is optimistically equipped with a huge-holed dolmen, through which "sunlight" will shine on opening day, striking water below in true prehistoric style.

Independent

The rivers were frozen solid; so thick indeed was the ice that the firemen had to cut through it to clear the ends of the pier before they could strike water.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing well drilling or similar activities, use "struck water" to indicate the moment water is found underground. It's a concise and readily understood phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "struck water" in contexts where the meaning is not related to finding underground water sources. For instance, it would be incorrect to say "the company struck water with its new product launch" to mean it was successful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "struck water" primarily functions as a verb phrase, specifically a past tense verb ("struck") followed by a noun ("water"). It indicates the action of encountering water, typically in the context of digging or drilling. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "struck water" signifies the finding of water, typically through digging or drilling. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, particularly in News & Media. While generally neutral in register, it conveys a specific meaning related to water discovery. For alternatives, consider phrases like ""hit water"" or ""found water"". Understanding the context is crucial to avoid misapplication, and remember that the past tense "struck" is used to indicate a completed action. The phrase's usage is widespread across various sources, denoting its importance as a practical and reliable means of describing this occurence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hit water

Uses a more common verb but maintains the same meaning of encountering water.

found water

Emphasizes the discovery aspect of encountering water.

reached water

Focuses on the act of arriving at a water source after digging or drilling.

tapped into water

Suggests accessing a water source for use.

encountered water

A more formal way of saying that water was found.

discovered water

Highlights the unexpected nature of finding water.

came across water

Similar to 'encountered water' but slightly less formal.

pierced the water

Focuses on the action of penetrating a water surface.

broke through to water

Emphasizes overcoming a barrier to reach water.

impacted the water

Describes the moment an object collides with a body of water.

FAQs

How can I use "struck water" in a sentence?

You can use "struck water" to describe finding water while digging a well, for example: "After days of digging, they finally "struck water", ensuring a fresh water source for the village".

What's another way to say "struck water"?

Alternatives to "struck water" include "hit water", "found water", or "reached water". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "struck water" formal or informal?

"Struck water" is neither particularly formal nor informal; it is suitable for use in a variety of contexts, including news reports, technical descriptions, and general narratives.

Is it correct to say "strike water" instead of "struck water"?

While "strike water" can be used in a general sense or in the infinitive form (e.g., "They hoped to strike water"), "struck water" is the past tense form used to indicate that water was actually found. The correct form depends on the context.