testing of the water

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "testing of the water" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe the act of trying something out or assessing a situation before making a decision. Example: "Before launching the new product, the company conducted a testing of the water to gauge customer interest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Also, genotoxicity testing of the water metabolites is clearly recommended.

Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology

Still, Priscilla says it's a testing of the water, to see how people might feel about pushing the boat out further in future.

The Guardian - Music

"As a result further testing of the water supply was undertaken across both hospital sites early in the investigation.

BBC

Cuadrilla director Leon Jennings said drilling and testing of the water quality would take place during the summer.

BBC

An important aspect of water microbiology, particularly for drinking water, is the testing of the water to ensure that it is safe to drink.

Applied Water Science

Salah Gosh's statement is probably a testing of the water, rather than a real commitment.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Maintenance of the divertor cassettes will require cutting, welding and non-destructive testing of the water-cooling-pipes.

Fusion Engineering and Design

Just like that: no warning, no testing of the waters to see who might go for voluntary redundancies.

The Guardian - Opinion

The conversion, making the building the first condominium in the Greenpoint area of Brooklyn, was a testing of the waters in a new neighborhood.

The New York Times

But his rather public testing of the waters during a presidential campaign raised questions about how he could remain at a news organization while seeking public office.

The New York Times

Relationship building takes a lot of psychological testing of the waters of trust.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "testing of the water" when you want to convey the idea of cautiously exploring a new situation or idea before fully committing.

Common error

Avoid using "testing of the water" too frequently in your writing. While it's a valid phrase, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "assessing the situation" or "gauging interest" when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "testing of the water" functions as a noun phrase, often used as the object of a verb. It describes the action of cautiously exploring or assessing something before making a decision. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "testing of the water" is a grammatically sound and usable English expression that describes cautiously exploring a situation or idea before fully committing. Ludwig AI confirms this. It functions primarily as a noun phrase and is often used to indicate preliminary investigation or assessment. While its register is generally neutral, it leans toward professional contexts, appearing frequently in news and media, science, and formal business settings. If you want to express a similar idea with diverse wording you could try some alternatives like "assessing the situation", "gauging interest", or "evaluating the circumstances" to avoid sounding repetitive. Be aware that each of those have slightly different meaning. In essence, "testing of the water" is a valuable phrase for conveying a sense of cautious exploration and assessment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assessing the situation

Focuses on evaluating the circumstances rather than a direct action.

evaluating the circumstances

Similar to assessing, but implies a more thorough investigation.

gauging interest

Specifically refers to measuring the level of enthusiasm or curiosity.

probing the market

More applicable in a business context, suggesting an exploratory effort.

exploring the possibilities

Highlights the act of examining potential options or outcomes.

investigating the matter

Implies a more formal and detailed inquiry into a specific issue.

checking the conditions

Focuses on verifying the state of affairs before proceeding.

trialling the approach

Highlights the experimental nature of trying something new.

experimenting with the method

Emphasizes a hands-on approach to discovering what works.

field-testing the application

Specifically used for software and similar products, field-testing is done in its intended environment with real users.

FAQs

How can I use "testing of the water" in a sentence?

You can use "testing of the water" to describe the act of trying something new or assessing a situation before fully committing to it. For example: "Before launching the new product, the company conducted a "testing of the water" to gauge customer interest."

What are some alternatives to "testing of the water"?

Some alternatives to "testing of the water" include "assessing the situation", "gauging interest", or "evaluating the circumstances", depending on the specific context.

Is "testing of the water" formal or informal?

"Testing of the water" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's generally more common in business or news settings. Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing when deciding whether to use this phrase.

What does "testing of the water" imply?

"Testing of the water" implies a cautious and exploratory approach to a new situation or idea. It suggests a desire to gather information and assess the potential risks and benefits before making a final decision.