a cloud of dust

USAGE SUMMARY

"a cloud of dust" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used in various contexts and is a descriptive phrase that helps to paint a vivid image for the reader. Example: The old truck revved its engine, kicking up a cloud of dust as it sped down the dirt road.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It collapsed in a cloud of dust.

The New York Times

"Three yards and a cloud of dust.

The Washington Post

Bloomfield stood in the middle of a cloud of dust.

The New Yorker

Suddenly, we were enveloped in a cloud of dust.

The New Yorker

I looked up and saw a cloud of dust.

The Guardian - Travel

Everything you touched, a cloud of dust would come up.

The New York Times

The 4x4 roars off, kicking up a cloud of dust.

The Guardian

A cloud of dust from the slide was still visible.

The New York Times - Science

"You see, out of a cloud of dust, an American soldier," Mr. Obama said.

The New York Times

I rushed down a narrow staircase through a cloud of dust.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"But now we're a little more sophisticated than three-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the connotations of the phrase. While generally neutral, it can sometimes imply neglect, destruction, or the passage of time.

Common error

While "a cloud of dust" is a descriptive phrase, be mindful of overusing it, especially in creative writing. Seek more original descriptions if the context allows to add uniqueness and avoid sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "a cloud of dust" is as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in various sentence structures, functioning descriptively to depict scenes involving movement, impact, or general conditions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Academia

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a cloud of dust" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase, primarily serving a descriptive function. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is widely accepted and understood in English. It evokes a strong visual image and is most commonly found in journalistic and narrative contexts. While versatile, writers should be mindful of potential over reliance on the phrase. As evidenced by Ludwig's wealth of examples, its effectiveness lies in its capacity to convey movement, impact, or decay with brevity and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dust cloud

Inverts the phrase structure, presenting a slightly different emphasis while retaining the core meaning.

a puff of dust

Replaces "cloud" with "puff", suggesting a smaller and more transient amount of dust.

a storm of dust

Substitutes "cloud" with "storm", indicating a larger and more intense dust event.

a plume of dust

Uses "plume" instead of "cloud", implying a rising column or stream of dust.

a swirl of dust

Replaces "cloud" with "swirl", focusing on the rotating or circular motion of the dust.

billows of dust

Replaces "cloud" with "billows", describing the dust as rising or surging in a wavelike motion.

a haze of dust

Substitutes "cloud" with "haze", suggesting a more diffused and less concentrated presence of dust.

dust storm

A more intense version than "a cloud of dust", it's an actual meteorological event.

a film of dust

Uses "film" instead of "cloud", indicating a thin layer of dust covering a surface.

sheets of dust

Emphasizes the wide spread of the dust

FAQs

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

You can use "a cloud of dust" to describe the aftermath of an explosion, the movement of a vehicle on a dirt road, or the state of a neglected space. For example, "The car sped off, leaving "a cloud of dust" behind it."

What can I say instead of "a cloud of dust"?

You can use alternatives like "a puff of dust", "a storm of dust", or "a plume of dust" depending on the context.

Is "a cloud of dust" an idiom?

"A cloud of dust" is not typically considered a fixed idiom, but it is a common and descriptive phrase used to depict a visible suspension of fine particles in the air.

What does it mean when something disappears in "a cloud of dust"?

When something disappears in "a cloud of dust", it typically means it has moved away quickly and dramatically, leaving behind a trail of dust. It can also imply sudden destruction or collapse.