Scatter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Scatter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to describe the action of spreading things out over a wide area or dispersing them. Example: "The children began to scatter the seeds across the garden, hoping for a bountiful harvest."

✓ Grammatically correct

The examples are extracted from varied contexts, mainly including cooking recipes, nature descriptions and news reports. The usage of the word is fairly consistent across different categories.

News & Media

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Fry your bacon on a high heat until super-crispy, smash it into pieces and scatter on top for extra salty deliciousness.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Their pale seedheads scatter, filling the air with nose-tickling dust.

The Guardian

You could get right up close to the players, but you had to scatter on the rare occasion a fielder would chase a ball all the way to the rope and its wall of kids.

The Guardian - Sport

As I tried to explore the thought processes of Aphex Twin's Richard D James (a daunting task in itself), I became sidetracked by a much wider issue, which involves a growing scatter of artists who are exploring the outer limits of the internet for inspiration, adventure, anonymity and rebellion, in search of a truer and uncensored reflection of the society we live in.

The Guardian - Music

Make discs of melted chocolate on the paper and scatter each one with chopped pistachios, sugared almonds, sea salt flakes and rose petals or candied peel.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Remove from the heat, anoint with fresh lemon juice and scatter with fresh pepper.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We are lurching along the loch when the 25 seagulls hanging above our boat suddenly scatter.

The Guardian

200g white chocolate, broken into small chunks 1 Set the oven to 160C/325F/gas mark 3. Scatter the chocolate chunks on a nonstick baking sheet in the oven.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mix in half the milk, then scatter over the rest of the flour and mix in the remaining milk.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Arrange the lettuce on a dish and scatter the avocado, watercress, eggs, tomatoes and pancetta over it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

4 Pour in the stock and cornflour paste and cook for a few minutes to allow the sauce to thicken, then add the sherry, vinegar and sugar and simmer together for a few minutes to allow the flavours to meld. 5 Pour the sauce over the aubergines and scatter with the spring onions and coriander.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the act of distributing something unevenly or randomly, "scatter" is an appropriate and vivid choice. For example, "Scatter the herbs over the dish" is more evocative than "Place the herbs on the dish".

Common error

Avoid using "scatter" when you intend to describe a deliberate, organized placement. "Scatter" implies a lack of order, so it is inappropriate when items are arranged carefully.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "Scatter" is as a verb, denoting the action of causing something to separate and go in different directions. Ludwig AI indicates its usability in written English. It can also function as a noun, describing a scattered group or arrangement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Lifestyle

20%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Science

12%

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Scatter" functions primarily as a verb describing the act of dispersing or distributing something loosely. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across a wide array of contexts. Its communicative purpose involves indicating the distribution of objects, individuals, or even abstract concepts, often implying randomness or a lack of uniformity. While maintaining a neutral formality, "Scatter" demonstrates versatility across news media, lifestyle, and even formal business contexts. Remember to avoid using "scatter" when describing careful or deliberate placement, as it implies a lack of order. Consider related terms like "disperse", "spread out", or "distribute" to fine-tune your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Disperse

Emphasizes the act of causing something to spread out and move away from each other.

Spread out

Focuses on the expansion of something over a wider area.

Distribute

Highlights the action of giving portions of something to many people or places.

Sprinkle

Suggests a light, scattered application of something, often in small particles.

Broadcast

Implies a widespread and often public distribution of something, like seeds or information.

Disseminate

Refers to spreading information or ideas widely.

Dissipate

Indicates the gradual disappearance or fading away of something as it spreads out.

Strew

Suggests scattering things by throwing or dropping them loosely.

Diffuse

Emphasizes the act of spreading or becoming widely dispersed, often referring to light or ideas.

Break up

Implies causing something to separate into smaller pieces or groups that then move apart.

FAQs

How can I use "Scatter" in a sentence?

"Scatter" can be used to describe the action of dispersing or spreading something loosely. For example, "The wind scattered the leaves across the yard."

What are some alternatives to the word "Scatter"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "disperse", "spread out", or "distribute".

Is it correct to use "Scatter" in a formal academic paper?

Yes, "scatter" is appropriate in formal writing as long as the context aligns with its meaning of dispersing or distributing loosely. Consider whether a more precise term might be more suitable for academic rigor.

What's the difference between "Scatter" and "sprinkle"?

"Scatter" generally implies a broader, less controlled distribution, while "sprinkle" suggests a lighter, more even application, often of fine particles.