a dense fog

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a dense fog" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a thick, heavy fog that significantly reduces visibility. Example: "Driving through a dense fog can be quite dangerous, as it obscures the road and other vehicles."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The hymns emerge like reassuring guideposts in a dense fog.

The New York Times - Arts

A dense fog of tension really begins rolling ashore when Kimber (Rosie Benton), Flip's girlfriend, arrives.

The New York Times

A dense fog cloaked the bay that night, and they disappeared into it.

The New York Times

The disaster, in which 583 people died, occurred in a dense fog.

The New York Times

A dense fog, created by a grid of misters, evokes a fairy tale setting.

The New York Times - Arts

A dense fog then settled on London, and the date was pushed back to the 24th.

The Guardian - Arts

How did you know?" But such questions hang in the air like a dense fog.

The New York Times

In it, he wrote: "As the jet climbed I was profoundly unsettled, my mind in a dense fog.

Independent

She was beset by searing headaches, her muscles often felt as though they were on fire, and her brain seemed wrapped in a dense fog.

The New Yorker

In this season of forecasts and predictions, it's certainly worth remembering that navigating the economy of late has been like driving in a dense fog.

The New York Times

Destroyers and submarines left Cherbourg in a dense fog, and it is to this fog that the fatal collision must be ascribed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a dense fog" to create a vivid sense of atmosphere or obstruction in your writing. It's effective in both literal and metaphorical contexts.

Common error

Avoid overusing "a dense fog" as a metaphor for confusion or uncertainty if it doesn't align with the context. Ensure the figurative usage logically connects to the literal meaning of reduced visibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a dense fog" functions primarily as a descriptive noun phrase. It modifies the noun "fog" with the adjective "dense", indicating a high degree of thickness or obscurity. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in describing literal weather conditions and metaphorical situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a dense fog" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression in the English language. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and highlights its versatile usage, spanning from literal descriptions of weather phenomena to metaphorical representations of obscured understanding. Primarily found in News & Media sources, the phrase maintains a neutral to formal register, making it suitable for diverse writing contexts. Remember to use it thoughtfully, ensuring its descriptive or metaphorical application aligns effectively with your intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a thick mist

Emphasizes the thickness of the mist, similar to a dense fog.

a heavy fog

Focuses on the weight or intensity of the fog.

a thick fog bank

Highlights the fog as a concentrated mass or accumulation.

a pea-souper fog

An older, more descriptive term for a very thick, yellowish fog.

a murky haze

Describes a haze that is dark and difficult to see through.

impenetrable fog

Stresses the impossibility of seeing through the fog.

a swirling fog

Indicates movement and density.

a blinding fog

Highlights the disorienting effect of the fog.

a heavy mist

A mist is often lighter than a fog, so "heavy" increases intensity.

a whiteout condition

Describes a situation where visibility is severely reduced, often due to snow or fog.

FAQs

How can I use "a dense fog" in a sentence?

You can use "a dense fog" to describe weather conditions, such as "A dense fog covered the city", or metaphorically, like "a dense fog of confusion".

What's a more descriptive alternative to "a dense fog"?

Consider using phrases such as "a thick mist", "a pea-souper fog", or "an impenetrable fog" to provide a more vivid image.

Is it appropriate to use "a dense fog" in formal writing?

Yes, "a dense fog" is appropriate for formal writing. It's a descriptive term that doesn't contain slang or informal language, and the examples Ludwig provides show it's prevalent in news and media.

Can "a dense fog" be used figuratively?

Yes, "a dense fog" can be used figuratively to describe something that obscures or confuses, such as "a dense fog of uncertainty" surrounding a complex issue.