thinned with water

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thinned with water" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a process where a substance, such as paint or a liquid, is diluted or made less concentrated by adding water. Example: "To achieve the desired consistency for the paint, it should be thinned with water before application."

✓ Grammatically correct

Cooking

Painting

Cosmetics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Mustard, thinned with water, also yielded delicious results.

The New York Times - Food

I already have a signature recipe, but on this occasion, Bayless's version, thinned with water to give a drizzling consistency, proves more practical.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mohan (or, at least, Stein) suggests Greek yoghurt thinned with water, Murshed natural yoghurt and milk, Jaffrey yoghurt and whipping cream and Toombs coconut milk and double cream.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Aromatic, falling-off-the-bone oxtail was cooked in and enveloped by a robust red wine sauce the dark, rich color of mahogany; its companion parsnip puree, though, lacked the expected parsnip vigor, tasting as though thinned with water.

The New York Times

The simplest clear sealer is Mod Podge (or a PVA glue like Elmers Glue thinned with water), but other sealers could be used.

WikiHow

Tahini mixed with garlic, lemon juice, and salt and thinned with water constitutes taratoor, a sauce that is eaten as a dip with Arab bread as part of a selection of meze, or hors d'oeuvres.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

4. Reheat soup, thinning with water if necessary.

The New York Times

After refrigerating, the soup may need to be thinned with more water, since oil thickens as it gets cold.

The New York Times - Magazine

Transbond Plus self-etching primer (3M Unitek) was activated according to the manufacturers' instructions and rubbed gently onto the enamel surface for 10 s, then thinned with a water- and oil-free air source for 1 to 2 s.

Progress in Orthodontics

Fondue may be thinned with cream or water.

The New York Times - Food

Stjerndahl et al. [32] have reported that the SiO2 shell thinned with the increasing water concentration.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "thinned with water" in recipes, specify the desired consistency. For example, "The sauce should be thinned with water until it reaches a creamy texture."

Common error

Avoid adding too much water at once. Gradually add water while stirring until the desired consistency is achieved, as over-thinning can ruin the texture or flavor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thinned with water" functions as a descriptive modifier, indicating how a substance's consistency has been altered. It is often used to describe a process in which a liquid or semi-liquid is made less viscous by the addition of water, as exemplified by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "thinned with water" serves as a descriptive modifier, commonly used to indicate the process of reducing a substance's viscosity by adding water. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts, including cooking, painting, and scientific applications. While primarily informative, the phrase maintains a neutral register, suitable for both formal and informal settings. Related phrases include "diluted with water" and "watered down", offering subtle variations in meaning. Remember to gradually add water to avoid over-thinning, and consider the desired consistency when using this phrase in recipes or instructions. Given the source analysis, "thinned with water" is most commonly found in News & Media, Wiki and Science related contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

diluted with water

Direct synonym, focusing on the act of making something less concentrated by adding water.

thinned out using water

More verbose, emphasizing the agent (water) used for thinning.

thinned by adding water

Similar in meaning but with a slightly different grammatical structure, emphasizing the action of adding water.

watered down

Suggests a reduction in quality or effectiveness, often used figuratively.

mixed with water

A neutral description of combining a substance with water, without specific emphasis on thinning.

cut with water

Implies reducing the strength or purity of something by adding water.

made less viscous with water

Focuses specifically on reducing viscosity, suitable for technical contexts.

weakened with water

Suggests a reduction in strength or potency through the addition of water.

attenuated with water

More formal, suggesting a weakening or reduction in intensity using water.

liquefied with water

Indicates a change in state, making something liquid by adding water.

FAQs

How can I use "thinned with water" in a sentence?

You can use "thinned with water" to describe the process of making a substance less viscous or concentrated by adding water. For instance, "The artist "thinned the paint with water" to create a watercolor effect."

What are some alternatives to "thinned with water"?

Alternatives include "diluted with water", "watered down", or "mixed with water", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "diluted with water" or "thinned with water"?

Both "diluted with water" and "thinned with water" are correct. "Diluted" generally refers to reducing concentration, while "thinned" typically refers to reducing viscosity. The best choice depends on the specific context and the property you're altering.

When is it appropriate to use "thinned with water" in a recipe?

It's appropriate to use "thinned with water" in a recipe when adjusting the consistency of a sauce, soup, or other liquid. For example, "If the soup is too thick, "thin with hot water" until it reaches your desired thickness."