blanket

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "blanket" can be correct and usable in written English, depending on the context in which it is used.
It is often used metaphorically to describe something that covers or encompasses a wide range of things, such as a "blanket policy" or "blanket statement." Example: "The company implemented a blanket policy that applies to all employees, regardless of their department."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

An hour later, the car is gone and a corpse lies on a trolley wrapped in a blanket.

The Guardian

Commenting on the JCHR report, the director of the Prison Reform Trust, Juliet Lyon, said: "More than 10 years ago, the ECHR first ruled that the UK's blanket and indiscriminate ban on sentenced prisoners' voting was unlawful.

The Guardian

It was a mixed day for the trio of women's 4x100m British record breakers from Zurich, with Asha Philip and Ashleigh Nelson finishing third and fourth respectively in a blanket finish in the 100m final but Jodie Williams, silver medal winner in the 200m at the Commonwealth Games and European championships, last in her heat.

The Guardian - Sport

On one patch of ground in Kathmandu, three children huddled under a blanket.

The Guardian

Pro-choice campaigners are hoping that Ford's paper will suggest some reform of the region's abortion laws and have promised legal action if the status quo, the near blanket ban on abortion, remains intact.

The Guardian

As James Owen wrote in National Geographic: A blanket ban on hunting in tropical forests won't protect animals threatened by Africa's escalating bush-meat crisis, [the report says].

The Guardian - Opinion

The notices so many of us received yesterday and the blanket notice that all name-based searches in the EU are now subject to censorship make it look more like a mischievous attempt to point up the impossibility of policing content on the internet within physical territories, enraging publishers and encouraging them to write about it.

The Guardian - Tech

I've spent hours learning this lately, catapulted by search engines to the dank recesses of parenting forums that exist solely to imply I'm guilty of child abuse because I don't know the best sort of blanket to put in a pram yet.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The woman's decomposed remains were found wrapped in a white blanket when the black suitcase was pulled from the Grand Union canal in Little Venice, north-west London, on Sunday afternoon.

The Guardian

The first time Kloeden drove at the campers he missed Tony Cotchilli's blanket by around a metre.

The Guardian

"How close did the car go to your blanket?" He traces a rectangle, in the dirt, with his finger: "My blanket".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "blanket" metaphorically, ensure the context clearly indicates the wide scope or comprehensive nature of what is being described. For example, "a blanket ban" implies a complete and unrestricted prohibition.

Common error

Avoid using "blanket" excessively in formal or academic writing; opt for more precise terms like "comprehensive", "extensive", or "overall" to enhance clarity and sophistication.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "blanket" is as a noun, referring to a covering used for warmth. It can also function as an adjective, as in "blanket ban", indicating something that applies widely. Ludwig AI shows examples where "blanket" covers a wide range of things.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "blanket" functions primarily as a noun denoting a covering used for warmth or as an adjective signifying something all-encompassing. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in register, more formal alternatives may be suitable for academic writing. The most frequent authoritative sources include The Guardian and The New York Times. Be mindful to use "blanket" judiciously, opting for more precise terms like "comprehensive" when appropriate to maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cover

A more general term referring to something that protects or conceals.

covering

Highlights the act of placing something over or around something else.

layer

Suggests a superimposed thickness or stratum.

mantle

Suggests a more figurative or poetic covering.

spread

Focuses on the action of covering something extensively.

cloak

Implies concealment or disguise in addition to covering.

all-encompassing

Emphasizes the inclusiveness of the covering.

envelopment

Stresses the completeness of the covering.

overall

Denotes a covering of everything involved.

general

Describes a broad or widespread application.

FAQs

How can I use "blanket" in a sentence?

You can use "blanket" to describe a physical covering, such as "The baby was wrapped in a warm blanket". It can also be used metaphorically to describe something that covers everything, such as "The policy imposed a blanket ban on all imports".

What can I say instead of "blanket" when referring to a covering?

Alternatives include "cover", "mantle", or "layer", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "blanket approval" or "general approval"?

"Blanket approval" suggests approval covering a wide range of items or situations, while "general approval" is more generic. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the comprehensive nature of the approval.

What's the difference between a "blanket" and a "quilt"?

A "blanket" is typically a single layer of fabric used for warmth, while a "quilt" is a multi-layered textile traditionally composed of three layers of fiber; a woven cloth top, a layer of batting (wadding), and a woven back, stitched together in a decorative pattern.