a cover on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a cover on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that is placed over or on top of another object for protection or concealment. Example: "Make sure to put a cover on the grill to protect it from the rain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

They can then put a cover on the square foam.

The New York Times

He placed a cover on the cake, and took off his apron.

The New Yorker

I alone seem capable of putting a cover on a duvet.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Put a cover on it," he said, and "let's see how everyone feels in six months" or a year.

The New York Times

It was for a photo shoot at Shortlist magazine, which was doing a cover on men to look out for.

Independent

As the comedian George Carlin once said, "A house is just a pile of stuff with a cover on it".

The New York Times

Recall that we had a cover on that story: California v Texas.8 46: Blue, that's a sound way to break down the candidates.

The Economist

There was a cover on Time this week with a picture of Sheryl Sandberg and the headline "Don't Hate Her Because She's Successful".

The New York Times

Greeks have still not forgotten a cover on the German magazine Focus last year, which depicted the Venus de Milo raising a middle finger.

The New York Times

But turning bloggers into authors, Lee knew, required more than just printing out a year's worth of posts and slapping a cover on them.

The New Yorker

To avoid mosquitoes' breeding in standing water, keep a cover on the container and don't let the water stand that long.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a cover on" when referring to something placed over an object to protect it from external elements or to conceal its contents. For example, "Always keep "a cover on" your swimming pool to prevent debris from entering."

Common error

Avoid using unnecessary prepositions with ""a cover on"". For instance, instead of saying "Put a cover on top of the box", simply say "Put "a cover on" the box". Redundancy can clutter your writing and make it less clear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase ""a cover on"" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a noun or verb. It indicates the presence of a protective or concealing layer on an object, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Wiki

31%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase ""a cover on"" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to describe the presence of a protective or concealing layer. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is used across a wide range of contexts, from news and media to scientific and wiki-based content. Be mindful of avoiding redundant prepositions and consider context-appropriate alternatives, such as "with a lid on" or "covered by", to enhance clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with a lid on

Replaces "cover" with "lid", implying a more specific type of covering, typically for containers.

with a top on

Uses "top" instead of "cover", suggesting the uppermost part or surface is in place.

covered by

Changes the structure to a passive voice, emphasizing the act of being covered.

protected by a covering

Expands on the idea of protection, making it more explicit.

with a shield over

Replaces "cover" with "shield", implying a more robust form of protection.

having a protective layer

Highlights the protective aspect of the covering.

with an overlay

Uses "overlay" to suggest a covering that is placed on top of something else.

under wraps

Idiomatic expression suggesting something is concealed or kept secret.

encased in

Implies a complete enclosure, offering protection from all sides.

sealed with

Suggests a secure closure, preventing access or leakage.

FAQs

How can I use "a cover on" in a sentence?

You can use ""a cover on"" to describe something that is protected or concealed by a covering. For example, "The container had "a cover on" to prevent contamination."

What's a simple alternative to ""a cover on""?

A simple alternative is "with a lid on" if you're referring to a container, or "covered by" if you want to emphasize the act of covering.

Is it correct to say "a cover over" instead of ""a cover on""?

While "a cover over" is sometimes used, ""a cover on"" is more common and generally preferred when referring to something placed directly on top of an object. The best choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between ""a cover on"" and "under wraps"?

"A cover on" refers to a physical covering, while "under wraps" is an idiom that means something is being kept secret or confidential. They are not interchangeable.