touching water

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "touching water" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the action of making contact with water, often in a literal sense, such as dipping a hand or foot into a body of water. Example: "As she walked along the shore, she enjoyed the sensation of touching water with her toes."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Simply touching water is a purifying gesture in the Vedas; gazing at it is considered purificatory in Sri Lanka (Ceylon).

Encyclopedia Britannica

I left the exhibition through two wonderful rooms of Monet, a group that includes paintings from Giverny, and most touching Water Lilies with Weeping Willows (1916 1919), a work that seems to encapsulate Monet's sadness at the time.

Independent

Friendly, he'd put his thick hands on the table as if he were touching water, and squat low, so that he was at sitting level, as though he were being so polite, and he'd smile, with coffee-and-tobacco-stained teeth.

The New Yorker

The telemetry confirmed these extended properly just prior to the stage touching water.

BBC

Weil's disease is an infection contracted through touching water contaminated with animal urine, and can be life-threatening.

BBC

For me, the bigger issue touching water that needs serious attention is agriculture and food production.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Plastic spends eons in landfills, while cardboard disintegrates if it touches water.

The New York Times

Civilization started where land touched water, then thrived or died depending on the quality of that relationship.

The New York Times - Magazine

For years, I never allowed raw mushrooms, which figure prominently in my column this week, to touch water.

The New York Times

I looked in the case when I got a chance and there was my note still tied there and that line hadn't touched water in its life".

The New Yorker

On the table are white china cups of tea and coffee, two barely touched water jugs and a single slightly blackened banana.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the action of mermaids transforming, using "touching water" is a great way to describe the trigger for their transformation.

Common error

Be specific about what is "touching water". Instead of saying "Avoid touching water", specify what should avoid contact, such as "Do not allow electrical devices to touch water".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "touching water" primarily functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun or part of a noun phrase. As seen in the Ludwig examples, it describes an action or experience related to making contact with water.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Wiki

30%

News & Media

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "touching water" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While not exceptionally common, it appears across a range of contexts including Wiki articles, news reports, and scientific literature. Ludwig examples show it’s used to describe physical contact with water, often in scenarios involving mermaids, safety instructions, or Weil's disease. While versatile, it's crucial to consider specificity to enhance clarity. Related phrases like "making contact with water" can be used for slight variations in meaning or formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

making contact with water

Focuses on the action of establishing contact, rather than the immediate sensation.

dipping into water

Implies a brief or partial immersion.

coming into contact with water

A more formal way of saying "touching water", emphasizing the encounter.

water contact

A noun phrase that refers to the act or state of touching water.

immersing in water

Describes a more complete submersion.

water exposure

Indicates being subjected to the effects or presence of water.

water immersion

Emphasizes the state of being completely covered by water.

water interaction

Highlights the reciprocal action or influence with water.

brushing against water

Suggests a light, incidental contact.

grazing water

Implies a very light and brief touch.

FAQs

What does "touching water" mean?

The phrase "touching water" refers to the act of making physical contact with water. It can describe a brief touch or a more prolonged interaction.

What can I say instead of "touching water"?

You can use alternatives like "making contact with water", "dipping into water", or "coming into contact with water", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "coming into contact with water" instead of "touching water"?

Yes, "coming into contact with water" is a grammatically correct and more formal alternative to "touching water". Both phrases describe the same action, but the former is often used in more formal contexts.

When is it important to avoid "touching water"?

Avoiding "touching water" is important in situations where water can cause damage or pose a safety risk, such as with electrical devices or certain materials that degrade when wet. For example, "Never let hairdryers or fans "touch water"".