a blur of lines

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a blur of lines" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is visually indistinct or chaotic, often in a context related to art, movement, or confusion. Example: "As the artist painted, the colors merged into a blur of lines, creating a sense of motion on the canvas."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Just a blur of lines and colour.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It operates in very complex ways in a theatrical context, with a blurring of lines between class, education, culture and regionality.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I'm not saying it is right or wrong," Mr. Freedman said, "but I think we are seeing a blurring of lines between nastiness and free speech".

The New York Times

Political in-fighting, according to Mike Pegram, Chair of the TOC, isn't necessarily the problem so much as a blurring of lines between the aspects of the sport certain groups are intended to represent.

The Guardian - Sport

Fox apologised to MPs after Sir Gus O'Donnell ruled that he was guilty of multiple breaches of the ministerial code for a "blurring of lines" between his official and private responsibilities.

The Guardian

"We welcome all increases in search-and-rescue capacity – as long as it remains in place, and there isn't a blurring of lines between military operations and the life-saving humanitarian work," he said.

The Guardian

O'Donnell called for tighter rules on ministerial contacts with outsiders after finding Fox guilty of multiple breaches of the ministerial code for a "blurring of lines" between his official and private responsibilities.

The Guardian

And yet what's disorienting about all the peekaboo, said Ms. Mears, is "a blurring of lines," of decorum and the demarcation between public and private space, lines crossed long ago in places like Southern California, where sweat pants are more common than suits and no one thinks twice about wearing a bikini to go to the mall.

The New York Times

Ministers made some progress by overcoming disagreements with Germany, which had raised demands for a change in the Union's treaty to ensure that the cornerstone of the project — placing the European Central Bank in charge of regulating the biggest lenders — would not lead to a blurring of lines between monetary policy and banking supervision.

The New York Times

According to Sara Nelson, the editor in chief of Publishers Weekly, "Since there seems to be a blurring of lines between fiction and reality on TV, in books, in politics even, it stands to reason that a fictional character could write a book that actually gets published.

The New York Times

There is a blurring of lines between the state and the Russian Orthodox Church.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a blur of lines" to vividly describe something that is visually chaotic and difficult to distinguish. This is effective in both artistic and descriptive writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a blur of lines" in highly formal or technical writing where precise language is required. Opt for more specific and descriptive terms that offer clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a blur of lines" functions primarily as a descriptive noun phrase, often used to characterize something visually indistinct or chaotic. It illustrates a lack of clear definition, consistent with the Ludwig AI's assessment of its usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a blur of lines" is a descriptive phrase used to portray visual indistinctness or rapid movement. While grammatically sound, as confirmed by Ludwig, its frequency is relatively rare, primarily appearing in News & Media and Science contexts. When writing, use it to vividly describe chaotic visuals, but avoid overuse in highly formal settings. Related phrases like "an indistinct array of lines" or "a hazy collection of lines" may provide suitable alternatives. Ludwig's analysis indicates that, while valid, careful consideration of context is essential for effective use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an indistinct array of lines

Emphasizes lack of clear definition in the lines.

a hazy collection of lines

Suggests a lack of sharpness and clarity, like looking through a haze.

a jumble of streaks

Focuses on the chaotic arrangement and elongated shape of the lines.

a confusion of borders

Shifts the focus to the edges or boundaries being unclear rather than lines themselves.

a mix of contours

Refers to outlines or shapes blending together.

an amorphous collection of lines

Highlights a lack of distinct form or structure

a nebulous set of lines

Implies a vague and ill-defined grouping of lines.

a disordered pattern of lines

Focuses on the lack of order or arrangement among the lines.

a flurry of strokes

Emphasizes quick and rapid movements creating the lines.

a mashup of vectors

Uses a more technical term (vectors) to describe the lines as directional elements.

FAQs

How can I use "a blur of lines" in a sentence?

You can use "a blur of lines" to describe something visually indistinct, like "The race cars sped past, creating "a blur of lines" on the track".

What are some alternatives to "a blur of lines"?

Depending on the context, you might use alternatives like "an indistinct array of lines", "a hazy collection of lines", or "a jumble of streaks".

Is "a blur of lines" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a blur of lines" is generally better suited for descriptive or creative writing. More formal contexts may require precise and specific language.

What does "a blur of lines" typically describe?

"A blur of lines" typically describes a visual scene or image where individual lines are difficult to distinguish due to speed, complexity, or other factors.