to swim through

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to swim through" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used metaphorically to describe navigating through a situation, task, or environment, often implying effort or struggle. Example: "She had to swim through a sea of paperwork to find the important documents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It was a submerged playground, complete with portholes big enough to swim through.

The New York Times - Travel

It's going to cost them more energy to swim through water than travel on land".

The New York Times - Science

There is also an underwater arch to swim through, and a good jump.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Pliosaurs possessed powerful jaws and large teeth, and they used four large fins to swim through Mesozoic seas.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As she lunged toward the surface, she saw a ring of sharks that she'd have to swim through first.

The New Yorker

Many bacteria are motile, able to swim through a liquid medium or glide or swarm across a solid surface.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I've been outdoor swimming for three years but this is the first year I've pledged to swim through the winter.

The Guardian - Travel

It seemed to swim through the Sibelius on Friday, every edge rounded, every texture smothered in love.

The New York Times - Arts

As a fish attempts to swim through a gill net, its head penetrates the mesh, and a section of twine slips under its gill cover, entangling it.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It does not live in burrows but travels at night on the dune surface or just below, employing its front limbs and muzzle to "swim" through the sand.

Encyclopedia Britannica

One of the pioneers in this field, Karen Pryor, once taught a goldfish to swim through a tiny hoop just for the flicker of a flashlight.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to swim through" metaphorically, ensure the context clearly conveys the sense of effort, struggle, or immersion. For example, "to swim through a sea of emails" effectively communicates being overwhelmed.

Common error

Avoid using "to swim through" in contexts where the imagery of liquid is inappropriate. For example, instead of "to swim through the meeting", consider "to navigate the meeting" or "to participate in the meeting".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to swim through" functions primarily as a prepositional verb phrase. It describes the action of moving through something, either literally through a liquid, or metaphorically through a situation or challenge. Ludwig examples show both literal and figurative applications.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

27%

Encyclopedias

16%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to swim through" is a versatile prepositional verb phrase used to describe movement through water or, metaphorically, navigating a complex situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and high frequency in varied sources like News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias. When using this phrase, consider the imagery it evokes and ensure it aligns with the intended context, avoiding inappropriate or awkward applications. Alternatives such as "to navigate through", "to move through", or "to traverse through" can offer suitable substitutes depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to move through

A simpler and more direct way to express the idea of passing through something.

to navigate through

Replaces "swim" with a more general term for moving through something, suitable for both physical and abstract contexts.

to pass through

Similar to "move through" but often suggests a quicker or less involved passage.

to wade through

Suggests a slow and difficult passage, often through something cumbersome or overwhelming.

to push through

Implies overcoming resistance or obstacles while moving forward.

to traverse through

Implies a more formal or challenging journey through something.

to journey through

Emphasizes the experience of moving through a place or situation, often with a sense of discovery or transformation.

to proceed through

A more formal way of saying to go through something, often used in procedural contexts.

to advance through

Implies progress and forward movement, often in a structured or organized way.

to work through

Suggests dealing with a problem or task by systematically addressing its components.

FAQs

How can I use "to swim through" in a sentence?

You can use "to swim through" both literally, as in "The fish had "to swim through" the coral reef", and metaphorically, as in "She had "to swim through" a lot of bureaucracy to get the project approved".

What are some alternatives to "to swim through"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "to navigate through", "to move through", or "to traverse through".

Is it correct to use "to swim through" metaphorically?

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable to use "to swim through" metaphorically. It often conveys a sense of effort, struggle, or immersion in a particular situation or environment.

What's the difference between "to swim through" and "to wade through"?

"To swim through" implies movement through a liquid or a situation with relative ease or effort, while "to wade through" suggests a slow and difficult passage, often through something cumbersome or overwhelming. The choice depends on the intended emphasis.