a blanket of cloud

USAGE SUMMARY

"a blanket of cloud" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe a large, thick layer of clouds covering the sky. Example: As I looked out of my window, I saw a blanket of cloud stretching out over the horizon, obscuring the sun and casting a cool shadow over the city.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Tonight even the stars are hidden by a blanket of cloud.

The Guardian - Travel

Many in the UK missed out on the eclipse, as a cold front brought a blanket of cloud that covered up the view.

Independent

However, many in the UK missed out on the eclipse, as a cold front brought a blanket of cloud that covered up the view In Copenhagen, the sun was 85 per cent covered up while 80 per cent was hidden in southern Sweden.

Independent

It was sweater weather and there was rain about, enough to cause breaks in play, disturbing concentration and consistently tickling up the pitch that, under a blanket of cloud that hung low, was at its most capricious: the light was never more than adequate.

The Guardian - Sport

Having been put to the sword by Dilshan in the Saturday evening sun, England's seamers would have welcomed the sight of a blanket of cloud over the home of cricket.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

And a blanket of clouds spread across a land clearly worth saving.

The New York Times

Before we had finished, a blanket of clouds drifted into the valley below us.

The New York Times - Sports

At dawn on Sunday, September 18th, a blanket of clouds hung over the tawny grass mountainsides around Missoula, Montana.

The New Yorker

This came clear to me last spring as a friend and I approached Jabugo, a small village buried in a blanket of clouds about two hours northwest of Seville.

The New York Times - Food

Despite a blanket of grey cloud over Kennington there was cricket to behold and much of it sparkled in the gloom.

The Guardian - Sport

Life's list of insignificant starts to dissipate intro streams of light cutting through a blanket of cobalt clouds and casting rays across a bottle green tree line.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a blanket of cloud" to create a visual image of extensive cloud cover, setting a specific mood or atmosphere in your writing. For example, describe how "a blanket of cloud" influences light, temperature, or visibility.

Common error

Avoid using "a blanket of cloud" literally, such as when discussing physical blankets. The phrase is figurative; it describes cloud cover, not actual bedding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a blanket of cloud" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. As Ludwig AI highlights, it describes the condition of the sky with extensive cloud coverage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a blanket of cloud" is a grammatically sound and descriptively potent phrase used to depict extensive cloud cover. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and utility in various writing contexts. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, offering a neutral yet evocative way to describe weather conditions. While alternatives such as "overcast sky" or "heavy cloud cover" exist, "a blanket of cloud" uniquely emphasizes the extensive and encompassing nature of the cloud layer. To use this phrase effectively, writers should focus on the visual imagery it creates and avoid misinterpreting it as a literal description.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overcast sky

Focuses on the sky condition rather than the cloud layer itself.

cloudy expanse

Emphasizes the widespread nature of the cloud cover.

heavy cloud cover

Highlights the density and thickness of the cloud layer.

dense cloud layer

Similar to heavy cloud cover, emphasizing density.

sky full of clouds

A more general description of a sky covered in clouds.

cloud-covered sky

Adjectival phrase describing a sky covered by clouds.

thick layer of clouds

Highlights the thickness of the cloud formation.

extensive cloud cover

Focuses on the wide area covered by clouds.

uniform cloud layer

Emphasizes the consistent and even nature of the cloud cover.

ceiling of clouds

Implies the clouds are low and create a visual boundary.

FAQs

How can I use "a blanket of cloud" in a sentence?

You can use "a blanket of cloud" to describe extensive cloud cover, such as: "The town was hidden beneath "a blanket of cloud", making it difficult to see the mountains".

What are some alternatives to "a blanket of cloud"?

Alternatives include "overcast sky", "heavy cloud cover", or "dense cloud layer", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "a blanket of clouds" or "a blanket of cloud"?

Both are acceptable, but "a blanket of cloud" is more common. "A blanket of clouds" is also valid, though it might suggest distinct cloud formations rather than a continuous layer.

Can "a blanket of cloud" be used to describe something other than the sky?

While primarily used to describe the sky, the metaphor can extend to other situations involving extensive coverage, but such uses are rare. For example, one might describe a forest fire as covering a landscape in "a blanket of smoke".