a screen of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a screen of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a physical or metaphorical barrier or protection that separates or shields something. Example: The trees provided a natural screen of privacy from the busy road. In this sentence, "a screen of" is used to describe the trees acting as a barrier or protection from the busy road.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The candidates disappear behind a screen of white paper.

The New York Times

Some classrooms look out on to multicusped tracery windows through a screen of sweeping timber arches.

The New York Times

It is protected by a screen of tall pine trees and a thread of wire fence.

The New Yorker

The new material opens with two women behind a screen of dappled, leafy light.

The Guardian

A screen of thin birch trees extends the effect of veiling into the landscape.

The New York Times - Arts

Their own rituals involve traversing a screen of smoke — passing into another zone.

The New Yorker

(It keeps reverting to a screen of black-and-white text decipherable only by programmers).

The New York Times - Arts

Staff in Gifted Mom's office monitor a screen of inquires that come in from mothers across Cameroon.

The Guardian

And that's where I spotted that mother goose, sitting on her nest beyond a screen of pinxterbloom azaleas.

The New York Times

"Portrait of My Dead Brother" is essentially a child's features under a screen of comic book dots.

The New York Times

Everywhere you looked – buses, park benches, cafes – people were obsessively jabbing their fingers at a screen of luminescent lozenges.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a screen of" to vividly depict a protective or obscuring layer, whether physical (like "a screen of trees") or metaphorical (like "a screen of secrecy").

Common error

Avoid using "a screen of" when you simply mean a collection or display of items. For example, instead of "a screen of photos", use "a collection of photos" or "a display of photos". "A screen of" implies something is being obscured or protected, not merely presented.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a screen of" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often acting as a prepositional complement. It describes something that provides a barrier, either physically or metaphorically. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a screen of" functions as a noun phrase that describes a protective or obscuring entity. Grammatically correct, the phrase is widely used in various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Wiki, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is suitable for neutral registers and serves to evoke imagery of separation or concealment. Remember to use "a screen of" when you want to depict something that provides a barrier, whether physical or metaphorical, and avoid misusing it for simple collections.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a veil of

This alternative suggests a more delicate or subtle barrier, often implying concealment or mystification.

a barrier of

Focuses more on the obstructive nature of the screen, highlighting its role in preventing passage or access.

a cover of

Implies protection or concealment by overlaying something else.

a wall of

Suggests a more solid and imposing barrier, often used to emphasize strength or impenetrability.

a filter of

Emphasizes the function of selectively allowing certain things to pass through while blocking others.

a facade of

Highlights the deceptive aspect, suggesting that what is seen is not the true reality.

an array of

Shifts the meaning towards a collection or display, rather than a barrier.

a barrage of

Implies an overwhelming quantity or intensity, differing from the protective or concealing nature of the original phrase.

an examination of

Focuses on the act of scrutiny and analysis, moving away from the concept of a physical barrier.

a layer of

Describes something spread out over a surface, which may or may not act as a barrier.

FAQs

How can I use "a screen of" in a sentence?

Use "a screen of" to describe something that obscures, protects, or filters. For example, "The house was hidden behind a screen of trees", or "He hid his emotions behind a screen of politeness".

What phrases are similar to "a screen of"?

Similar phrases include "a veil of", "a barrier of", or "a cover of", each suggesting a different nuance of separation or concealment.

Is it correct to say "a screen from" instead of "a screen of"?

While "screen from" can be used as a verb phrase (e.g., "screen information from the public"), "a screen of" functions as a noun phrase describing the obscuring entity itself. The two are grammatically distinct.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "a screen of"?

Avoid using "a screen of" when you mean a simple collection or arrangement without any obscuring or protective function. For example, "a collection of artwork" is more appropriate than "a screen of artwork" if the artwork is merely being displayed.