A ship sails in water. vs A ship sails in the water.

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'A ship sails in water.' is a more general statement, while 'A ship sails in the water.' is more specific, referring to a particular body of water. The choice between using 'the' or not depends on the level of specificity you want to convey.

Last updated: April 05, 2024 • 119 views

This phrase is correct and can be used to make a general statement about ships sailing in any body of water.

"A ship sails in water."

This phrase is a general statement indicating that ships sail in water in general, without specifying a particular body of water.

Examples:

A ship sails in water, carrying goods from one port to another.
The concept of a ship sailing in water has fascinated people for centuries.

Show examples from the web [+]

A ship sails in water.
A ship sails forever in a storm.
In 1532 a fleet of ships sails in secret to an island in the middle of an inland sea.
I see a ship with sails... in a tall tree... and from the stern hangs a canoe.
A ship in sail moved slowly across the tranquil calm of what was once the turbulent heart of a volcano.
A ship sails from a port in the territorial waters of one state to another, on the way passing through the territorial waters of other states or international waters.
Over many of its doors there are marble tablets with a ship in sail inscribed upon them, or the heraldic bearing of a Lion; and there is still a whisper of Venice in its streets.
For nearly an hour as I rode thus towards the Convent upon my tiring mule, I traced with sympathy the slow progress of a ship in sail upon the sea.
During the evenings, naval ships sail in a status called darkened ship.
My ship sails in five days.
A ship sails from Damnoni to Preveli at 10.45 daily (weather-permitting) and returns in the afternoon.
I saw a ship sail for China from that harbour to collect the ashes of the dead.
Did you ever see a ship sail?
His ship sails at 4:00.
A fleet of Corsairs ships sails from the south.
And his ship sails tomorrow, like he said.
We've got to get to Darwin before the ship sails.
Got less than a day before those ships sail.
I'd better lie low till my ship sails.
Our ships sail with or without you.
Be back, won't you, before the next ship sails.

Alternatives:

Ships sail in water.
A ship sails on the water.
A ship sails through the water.
A ship navigates through water.

This phrase is also correct and is used when referring to a specific body of water where a ship is sailing.

"A ship sails in the water."

This phrase is more specific, indicating that a ship is sailing in a particular body of water, such as a river, lake, or ocean.

Examples:

A ship sails in the water of the Mediterranean Sea.
The captain steered the ship as it sailed in the water.

Show examples from the web [+]

A ship sails in the water.
A ship sails forever in a storm.
In 1532 a fleet of ships sails in secret to an island in the middle of an inland sea.
I see a ship with sails... in a tall tree... and from the stern hangs a canoe.
A ship in sail moved slowly across the tranquil calm of what was once the turbulent heart of a volcano.
A ship sails from a port in the territorial waters of one state to another, on the way passing through the territorial waters of other states or international waters.
Over many of its doors there are marble tablets with a ship in sail inscribed upon them, or the heraldic bearing of a Lion; and there is still a whisper of Venice in its streets.
For nearly an hour as I rode thus towards the Convent upon my tiring mule, I traced with sympathy the slow progress of a ship in sail upon the sea.
During the evenings, naval ships sail in a status called darkened ship.
My ship sails in five days.
A ship sails from Damnoni to Preveli at 10.45 daily (weather-permitting) and returns in the afternoon.
I saw a ship sail for China from that harbour to collect the ashes of the dead.
Did you ever see a ship sail?
His ship sails at 4:00.
A fleet of Corsairs ships sails from the south.
And his ship sails tomorrow, like he said.
We've got to get to Darwin before the ship sails.
Got less than a day before those ships sail.
I'd better lie low till my ship sails.
Our ships sail with or without you.
Be back, won't you, before the next ship sails.

Alternatives:

A ship sails in that water.
A ship sails in this water.
A ship sails in some water.
A ship sails in any water.

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A ship sails in water. vs A ship sails in the water.