a thick mist

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a thick mist" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a dense fog or haze that reduces visibility, often in a poetic or descriptive context. Example: "As we walked through the forest, we found ourselves enveloped in a thick mist that made the trees appear ghostly and ethereal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

A thick mist rose skyward from the trees, the moisture of night burning off.

The New York Times - Travel

A thick mist hung everywhere, and there was not sound except, far away in the valley, a train shunting.

Independent

As the sun rose Saturday, a thick mist resisted the crowing roosters, bathing the barnyard in a cool half-dark.

The New York Times - Sports

A thick mist has risen from the valley below and through the gloom I spy a wooden building.

The Guardian - Travel

When she had completed her oath, the two enshrouded themselves in a thick mist and sped lightly forward, leaving Lemnos and Imbrus behind them.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The play is surrounded by a thick mist, where the apparitions confuse the reality of things and the forces of evil, relentlessly invoked, materialized in terrible ways.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

The game was played under a low, thick mist that made viewing difficult for the spectators.

BBC

The videos show the students seated on the ground as a UC Davis police officer brandishes a red canister of pepper spray, showing it off for the crowd before dousing the seated students in a heavy, thick mist.

Huffington Post

These situations include a sea monster, thick mist and a Mary Celeshiptype ship.

The Guardian - Books

On the ground, a shroud of thick mist forms and begins to spread out — this is the time when rumors and gossip start to brew.

The New York Times - Books

In The New Confessions, William Boyd's errant hero, John James Todd, has a memorable experience of this when, as night sentry, he yells a gas warning and produces a collective deluge of urine (and urine-damped faces) – only to then find that he has actually sighted nothing more poisonous than a drift of thick mist.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a thick mist" in your writing, consider the sensory details you want to convey. Focus on how the mist affects visibility, sound, and the overall atmosphere of the scene. This phrase is most effective when setting a specific mood or emphasizing the isolation of characters within the environment.

Common error

Avoid using "a thick mist" repeatedly in a short passage. Vary your descriptions with related phrases like "dense fog" or "heavy haze" to maintain reader engagement and avoid monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a thick mist" primarily functions as a descriptive noun phrase. It is used to vividly depict an atmospheric condition where visibility is significantly reduced by a dense concentration of water droplets or particles in the air, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a thick mist" is a common and grammatically sound descriptive phrase, frequently used in News & Media and Academia to create atmosphere and evoke sensory details. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. When using this phrase, consider the specific sensory details you wish to convey and avoid overuse by varying your descriptions with related phrases. Keep in mind that this phrase can symbolize uncertainty or obscurity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a dense fog

Focuses on the density of the fog, emphasizing reduced visibility.

a heavy fog

Highlights the weight and intensity of the fog.

a swirling fog

Emphasizes the movement and turbulence within the fog.

a pea soup fog

Uses a simile to describe the fog's thickness and color, implying very low visibility.

a murky haze

Describes a hazy condition with poor visibility and a dull, unclear quality.

a dense cloud cover

Shifts the focus to cloud formations, implying a pervasive and heavy overcast.

a soupy fog

Describes the fog's texture and density using a simile.

a palpable fog

Emphasizes the tangible or almost touchable quality of the fog.

a blinding mist

Highlights the effect of the mist on visibility, suggesting it obscures vision.

an impenetrable gloom

Metaphorically describes a dark and obscuring atmosphere.

FAQs

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

You can use "a thick mist" to describe atmospheric conditions. For example: "The village was shrouded in "a thick mist", making it difficult to see the road ahead."

What are some alternatives to "a thick mist"?

Alternatives include "a dense fog", "a heavy mist", or "a pea soup fog", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a thick mist" or should it be "thick mist"?

Both phrases are correct, but "a thick mist" is more common and grammatically standard. Using the article "a" helps to clearly indicate that you are referring to a specific instance of mist.

What does "a thick mist" symbolize in literature?

In literature, "a thick mist" often symbolizes uncertainty, obscurity, or the blurring of reality. It can also create a sense of mystery or foreboding.