submerge

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "submerge" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has been completely immersed in a liquid such as water (e.g. "The boat submerged beneath the surface of the water"). It can also be used to describe something that is hidden or not visible (e.g. "The houses were submerged in a thick fog").

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Gourmet is also in the hot water camp, suggesting leaving them in for 15-20 seconds "until soft and pliable" and Tran and Vu just pat them with wet fingers, although, in a note underneath, they go on to say they finally figured out that "the simplest way to prepare the rice paper is to submerge it in boiling-hot water before rolling.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

5 Slice the cake into squares, pour the warm syrup into a bowl deep enough to submerge the cake squares in it, and have a tray ready with coconut thickly spread across it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The reservoirs they create can displace thousands of families and submerge large forests.

The Economist

Australians must be hoping theirs will submerge faster than most.

The Economist

But the lakes themselves remain; and while much of America is regularly afflicted by drought, they hold enough water to submerge the entire country.

The Economist

In one case the team watched a sow intentionally submerge herself entirely during a hunt.

The Economist

Vietnamese scientists say that would submerge one-eighth of Vietnam's land area, as well as making extreme (and crop-destroying) weather more common.

The Economist

The remaining 19 were asked to submerge their non-dominant hand into a bucket of warm water for 90 seconds, while moving paper clips one at a time between two boxes, to keep up the illusion of the task being related to physical capabilities.

The Economist

The 23 who had written about everyday interactions and 20 of the 39 who had written about behaving unethically were asked to submerge their non-dominant hand (ie, left, if they were right-handed, and vice versa) into a bucket of ice for as long as they could.

The Economist

With Mr Kohl, he worked on uniting Europe, the other historic project.The euro may have started as a French idea (Mr Mitterrand considered the D-mark "Germany's atom bomb" and wanted to submerge it in a common currency).

The Economist

Now it seems the traffickers have perfected the design and manufacture of semi-submersible craft (although they look like submarines, they don't fully submerge).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "submerge" in a metaphorical sense, ensure the context clearly indicates the non-literal meaning. For example, "submerge yourself in your work" is more effective than simply saying "submerge in work".

Common error

Avoid using "submerge" when a weaker verb like "include" or "cover" would suffice. "Submerge" implies a complete and often forceful covering or involvement, so ensure the intensity of the action matches the word's connotation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "submerge" is as a verb, indicating the action of causing something to go below the surface of a liquid or, metaphorically, to be completely covered or overwhelmed. As Ludwig AI confirms, this verb accurately describes the action of going beneath a surface or being engulfed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

34%

Science

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "submerge" is a versatile verb used to describe the act of something being completely covered by a liquid or metaphorically overwhelmed by something else. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically correct and widely used. This analysis reveals that "submerge" appears most frequently in News & Media and Encyclopedias, demonstrating its relevance across various contexts. When considering alternatives like "immerse" or "engulf", it's important to consider the specific nuance you wish to convey, as "submerge" often implies a complete and forceful covering. Remember to use "submerge" when the intensity of the action is appropriate, avoiding weaker verbs when a more powerful impact is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

immerse

Similar action of placing something entirely in a liquid, but may imply a shorter duration or less intensity.

inundate

Suggests covering with a flood, often used metaphorically for being overwhelmed.

engulf

Implies surrounding and enveloping completely, often in a destructive or overwhelming way.

deluge

Similar to inundate, suggesting a sudden and overwhelming flood or rush.

sink

Describes the action of something descending below the surface of a liquid.

drown

Implies being killed by submersion in water.

cover

A more general term for placing something over or on top of something else.

bury

Suggests covering something with earth or another solid material.

plunge

Suggests a sudden and forceful submersion.

overwhelm

Metaphorically implies being completely overcome by something, similar to being submerged in a liquid.

FAQs

How can I use "submerge" in a sentence?

You can use "submerge" to describe something going completely under water, as in "The submarine began to "descend into the depths"". It can also be used metaphorically, like "I want to "immerse myself in" this project".

What are some synonyms for "submerge"?

Alternatives to "submerge" include "immerse", "inundate", "engulf", and "deluge". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "submerge" and "immerse"?

"Submerge" generally implies a complete and often forceful covering by a liquid, while "immerse" can suggest a briefer or less intense action. You might "submerge" a boat, but "immerse" your hand in water.

Is it correct to use "submerge" in a figurative sense?

Yes, "submerge" can be used figuratively to describe being completely overwhelmed or deeply involved in something. For example, "She "buried herself in her work"" is a valid and common usage.