tons of water

USAGE SUMMARY

"tons of water" is correct and usable in written English.
For example, you could say: "I went to the store to buy tons of water for the family picnic this weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It has 22 cylindrical hatchery tanks, each holding 2.5 tons of water, and 24 raceway tanks, each holding 10 tons of water.

The New York Times

He said the comet lost 30 tons of water a second on Feb. 18 but lost 70 tons of water a second the next day.

The New York Times

Environmentalists warn that this wastes and contaminates millions of tons of water.

The Guardian

A cloud contains two or three tons of water, all held up by nature's forces.

The Guardian - Travel

According to Tepco, there is 90,000 tons of water stored here.

The New York Times

Firefighters with hoses can pour in water, they said, or helicopters could drop tons of water.

The New York Times

To produce one ton of fabric, textile mills use 200 tons of water.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I drink tons of water, and I have a vitamin sachet that I put in it.

The New York Times - Travel

As tons of water smashed past, we edged along the rocky path gasping through the flying, choking spray.

The Guardian - Travel

Additionally, dye houses today use up to 200 tons of water for each ton of fabric they process.

The Guardian

(The vessel would displace – while sinking like a stone – 15,000 to 20,000 tons of water).

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tons of water" when you want to emphasize a large, often overwhelming, quantity of water, whether literal or figurative. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "tons of water" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing "tons" in highly formal or scientific writing where more precise measurements might be expected. In such cases, consider using specific units of volume (e.g., cubic meters, liters).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tons of water" functions as a noun phrase, where "tons" modifies "water" to indicate a large quantity. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its usage in diverse contexts, affirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

81%

Wiki

8%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "tons of water" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe a large quantity of water. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, although overuse in highly formal writing should be avoided in favor of more precise measurements. The phrase appears most commonly in news and media, and its purpose is to emphasize the scale or volume of water involved. When a different nuance is required, alternatives such as "large quantity of water" or "massive amount of water" can be used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enormous quantity of water

Focuses on the extremely large size of the water amount.

massive amount of water

Indicates a substantial quantity of water, highlighting its size.

immense volume of water

Highlights the enormous scale of the water quantity.

large quantity of water

Emphasizes the amount of water using more generic terms.

huge volume of water

Focuses on the spatial extent of the water.

significant quantity of water

Highlights the importance or impact of the amount of water.

considerable amount of water

Suggests that the quantity of water is worth noting.

substantial volume of water

Emphasizes the considerable spatial extent of the water.

a great deal of water

Uses a more common and less precise expression for a large amount.

a lot of water

Provides a simpler, more informal way to describe a large amount of water.

FAQs

How can I use "tons of water" in a sentence?

You can use "tons of water" to describe a large quantity of water, as in "Firefighters used "tons of water" to extinguish the blaze" or "The dam holds "tons of water" for irrigation purposes".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "tons of water"?

Alternatives include "large quantity of water", "massive amount of water", or "huge volume of water", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "tons of water" an exact measurement?

No, "tons of water" is not an exact measurement but rather a descriptive phrase to indicate a large quantity. For precise measurements, use units like liters, gallons, or cubic meters.

When is it appropriate to use "tons of water" versus a more specific measurement?

Use "tons of water" in general or informal contexts where the exact quantity isn't critical. In scientific, technical, or legal contexts, opt for specific measurements to ensure accuracy and avoid ambiguity.