a thick haze

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a thick haze" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a dense fog or mist that obscures visibility, often in a literal sense related to weather or atmosphere. Example: "As we drove through the mountains, we found ourselves enveloped in a thick haze that made it difficult to see the road ahead."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

A thick haze of smoke still hangs overhead.

The Guardian

Much of the city's downtown skyline was obscured by a thick haze.

The New York Times

Instead, they were surprised to find a thick haze, loaded with soot, smothering the mountain slope.

The Economist

WASHINGTON — Johan Santana began his year enveloped in a thick haze of uncertainty.

The New York Times - Sports

On this night, a thick haze drifted through the area, a chemical fog rolling in.

The New Yorker

A thick haze hovered over the streets, penetrating homes and offices.

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

But as the universe expanded and cooled, large amounts of that gas remained wafting through space like a thick fog or haze, in the form of hydrogen atoms.

The New York Times

By the end of the month, the cloud had reached Moscow and Tripoli in Syria, according to a Dutch professor, S.P. van Swinden, whose "Observations on the Cloud which Appeared in 1783" says that "a very thick haze covered both land and sea; the sun could be seen rarely, and always with a bloody colour, which was rare in Syria".

The Economist

Bergamo, beautiful though it is, suffers from extremely bad air pollution: if there isn't any wind or rain for a few days, smog settles in the valley and develops to the point where the landscape is blighted by a disgustingly thick haze.

The Guardian - Travel

However, Heyl says the result is not definitive, as it might be possible to explain away the polarization by assuming an unexpectedly thick haze of plasma around the neutron star.

Science Magazine

The pollution levels soared and traffic came to a halt in the thick haze – providing a vision as apocalyptic as anything imagined by the makers of Mad Max.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance the impact, specify the composition of the haze, for example, “a thick haze of smoke”, “a thick haze of pollen”, or “a thick haze of pollution”.

Common error

Avoid using "a thick haze" in highly technical or scientific writing where more precise meteorological terms would be more appropriate. For instance, instead of saying "a thick haze" affected the experiment's visibility, use specific terms like "particulate matter" or "aerosol concentration".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a thick haze" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a state of atmospheric obscurity, as exemplified in Ludwig's numerous examples. The phrase serves to depict a condition of reduced visibility due to particulate matter in the air.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a thick haze" is a commonly used phrase to describe reduced visibility caused by atmospheric particles. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage in various contexts, predominantly in news and media, academic writing, and scientific reporting. While versatile, it's best used when a general description of atmospheric obscurity is needed; more specific terms may be necessary in technical contexts. Related phrases like "a dense mist" or "a heavy fog" can offer alternative ways to express similar conditions, each with slightly different connotations. By following the best practices and avoiding overuse in specialized fields, writers can effectively use "a thick haze" to enhance their descriptions and convey the desired atmosphere.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a dense mist

Replaces "haze" with "mist", suggesting a higher moisture content in the air.

a heavy fog

Substitutes "haze" with "fog", indicating a more substantial obscuration of visibility.

a thick smog

Replaces "haze" with "smog", implying pollution is a primary component.

a murky atmosphere

Changes the noun to "atmosphere", focusing on the overall air quality.

a dense cloud of smoke

Specifies the cause of the obscured visibility as "smoke".

an impenetrable gloom

Uses more metaphorical language, replacing the physical description with a sense of darkness and obscurity.

a heavy pall

Employs "pall" to suggest a sense of darkness or foreboding along with the obscured visibility.

a pea-souper

An informal term for a very thick fog, particularly in London.

a swirling miasma

Conveys a sense of swirling and possibly unhealthy air.

a blurred skyline

Focuses on the effect of the atmospheric condition on the visibility of distant objects.

FAQs

How can I use "a thick haze" in a sentence?

You can use "a thick haze" to describe reduced visibility due to atmospheric particles. For example, "a thick haze covered the city", or "the mountains were obscured by a thick haze".

What is the difference between "a thick haze" and "a heavy fog"?

"A thick haze" implies a less dense obscuration than "a heavy fog". Fog is generally thicker and reduces visibility to a greater extent than a haze.

What words usually describe "a thick haze"?

Common adjectives used with "a thick haze" include "smoky", "yellow", "gray", "orange", and "polluted", depending on its composition and cause.

What can cause "a thick haze"?

"A thick haze" can be caused by various factors, including pollution, smoke from wildfires, dust storms, or high concentrations of pollen.