a trail of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a trail of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a path or series of marks left behind by someone or something, often indicating movement or a sequence of events. Example: "The detective followed a trail of clues that led him to the suspect's hideout."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But there's a trail of smoke.

The Guardian - Opinion

A physical thing, a trail of it.

The New Yorker

Strategically, it's a trail of tears.

MIT Technology Review

It finally revealed a trail of pride.

The Guardian

The crash left a trail of destruction.

The New York Times

Leaving a trail of possessions behind me.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"delay-mouse.rkt" : A trail of balls following the mouse.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

How did the campaign trail become a trail of tears?

The New Yorker

His candor can leave a trail of hurt feelings.

The New York Times

— like a bat following a trail of high-pitched beeps.

The New Yorker

But he often leaves behind a trail of irritation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a trail of" to vividly describe the consequences or remnants of an action or event, adding depth and imagery to your writing. For example, "The scandal left a trail of broken careers."

Common error

Avoid using "a trail of" in overly abstract or metaphorical contexts where a more direct expression would be clearer. For instance, instead of "a trail of philosophical ideas", consider "a series of philosophical ideas" or "the evolution of philosophical thought".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a trail of" primarily functions as a noun phrase modifier, often followed by another noun to describe what is being left behind or what consequences are resulting from a particular action or event. As Ludwig AI shows, it adds descriptive detail to the noun it modifies.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a trail of" is a versatile and commonly used expression to describe something left behind or a series of related events or consequences. Ludwig AI analysis shows it to be grammatically sound and widely accepted in various contexts. It's most frequently found in news and media, offering a vivid way to illustrate the aftermath or remnants of actions and events. While alternatives like "a series of" or "a wake of" exist, "a trail of" provides a distinctive nuance of something continuously left in the past, making it a powerful tool for descriptive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a series of

Replaces "trail" with "series", emphasizing a sequence or succession of items or events.

a string of

Substitutes "trail" with "string", suggesting a connected sequence, often implying a causal link.

a wake of

Emphasizes the consequences or aftermath left behind by an event or action, similar to the residue of a boat in water.

a succession of

Highlights the ordered sequence of elements, focusing on the sequential arrangement rather than the lingering effect.

a line of

Implies a linear arrangement or progression, often used for physical objects or sequential steps.

a path of

Suggests a course or route taken, with "path" replacing "trail" to emphasize direction.

a chain of

Highlights the interconnectedness of events or items, indicating a linked sequence where each element is related.

evidence of

Shifts the focus to the presence of evidence indicating a past action or event.

indications of

Emphasizes subtle signs or clues suggesting the existence or occurrence of something.

signs of

Highlights the presence of observable indicators or symptoms, often implying a condition or situation.

FAQs

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

Use "a trail of" to describe something left behind or a series of things that follow one another. For example, "The hikers left "a trail of breadcrumbs" to mark their path" or "The company's decisions left "a trail of controversy"".

What can I say instead of "a trail of"?

You can use alternatives like "a series of", "a string of", or "a wake of" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to use "a series of" or "a trail of"?

While both phrases denote a sequence, "a trail of" often implies something left behind or a consequence, whereas "a series of" is more neutral and simply indicates a succession of items or events. Consider which nuance best fits your intended meaning.

What's the difference between "a wake of" and "a trail of"?

"A wake of" specifically refers to the aftermath or consequences of something, usually something significant or impactful. "A trail of", while it can also refer to consequences, can more broadly describe anything left behind, including physical objects or subtle signs.