be clumped

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be clumped" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe objects or elements that are gathered or clustered together in a group. Example: "The leaves began to be clumped together after the heavy rain, creating a thick mat on the ground."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

When disaster strikes, the whole world may be falling apart, but they will all be clumped together, walking north.

The New York Times

"It defies her sense of who she is to be clumped together with women directors," said Ms. Yang.

The New York Times

Because of the resolution, the bright spots appeared to be clumped together as one.

TechCrunch

These regions can be clumped into larger areas of the genome called quantitative trait loci, which are known to contain genes that produce a specific physical effect, such as shaggy hair.

Science Magazine

In a very general sense, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions tend to be clumped in space and time anyway, because both often occur along the grinding boundaries of tectonic plates in Earth's crust.

Science Magazine

The bridge, described here yesterday at the 220th meeting of the American Astronomical Society, extends over hundreds of thousands of light-years, and the hydrogen gas appears to be clumped into clouds a few thousand light-years across.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

There will be clumping.

WikiHow

The first thing you see when you look at the sky is that matter is clumped," It's clumped into galaxies and the galaxies are clumped into clusters, and there are clusters of clusters.

The New Yorker

Long waits and line-ups are prices worth paying for the sense of being clumped.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Five painters have been clumped together here, but don't take the title too seriously.

The New York Times - Arts

Pools of algae were clumped here and there across the surface.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be clumped" to describe how separate items form a group due to physical properties or external forces. For instance, wet leaves "be clumped" together on the ground.

Common error

Avoid using "be clumped" when describing abstract groupings or categorizations. Instead, consider using words like "grouped", "classified", or "categorized" for ideas, concepts, or data points.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be clumped" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that a subject is acted upon to form a cluster or mass. Ludwig examples show it used to describe physical arrangements, as well as abstract groupings.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

48%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be clumped" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive verb phrase suitable for describing items gathered or clustered together. According to Ludwig, it appears commonly in news, scientific, and wiki contexts. When writing, use it to describe the arrangement of physical objects or abstract groupings, avoiding misuse in strictly conceptual categorizations. Consider alternatives such as "be grouped" or "be clustered" for similar meanings. Overall, "be clumped" offers a clear and concise way to express the state of being gathered together.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be grouped

A simple and versatile alternative, suitable for general classifications or arrangements.

be clustered

Emphasizes the arrangement into groups, useful when spatial distribution is key.

be bunched together

Suggests a close and somewhat untidy gathering, like a bunch of flowers.

be gathered together

Uses a more general term for assembling, suitable when the specific nature of the "clump" isn't important.

be collected

Emphasizes the act of bringing things together from various sources.

be massed together

Highlights the quantity and density of the group.

be concentrated

Indicates a higher density or proportion in a specific area.

be agglomerated

A more formal term suggesting a mass formed from many small particles.

be amassed

Implies accumulating a large quantity of something, often over time.

be congregated

Implies people or things are coming together, often intentionally, in a specific location.

FAQs

How can I use "be clumped" in a sentence?

You can use "be clumped" to describe items grouped together, such as "The fallen leaves "were clumped together" by the rain" or "The protesters "were clumped around" the statue".

What are some alternatives to "be clumped"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "be clustered", "be grouped", or "be gathered".

Is it correct to say "be clumped up"?

While "be clumped" is generally preferred, "be clumped up" can sometimes be used informally, though it may sound redundant. In formal writing, stick to "be clumped".

What does it mean when something is described as "be clumped"?

When something is described as "be clumped", it means that individual items or elements are gathered or clustered together, forming a mass or group. This often implies a non-uniform or somewhat disorganized arrangement.