clouds of pollen

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clouds of pollen" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large quantity of pollen in the air, often during spring or in areas with many flowering plants. Example: "As I walked through the park, I could see clouds of pollen swirling in the air, making it difficult to breathe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Clouds of pollen blow across the pastureland.

The Guardian - Arts

All produce huge clouds of pollen in early summer.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Ne'er-do-wells dodging capture amid clouds of pollen and airborne theremins.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Despite the clouds of pollen all about, he doesn't even wrinkle his nose.

The Economist

We don't blossom, nor do we contribute to the clouds of pollen that drift through the air.

The New York Times

AUDREY CORN AIRBORNE INSEMINATION Spring is the season When people are sneeezin', From great clouds of pollen That have blown or have fallen From trees that are keen To pass on their genes.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Among pollen-recipients, regardless of genotyping error, the highest reductions were estimated from the pollen clouds of pollen-recipients belonging to the two latest phenological groups (4 and 5), and particularly that of group 5 (almost two-fold decrease, results not shown).

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Alkali bees (Nomia) and leaf-cutter bees (Megachile) are both efficient pollinators of alfalfa; unlike honeybees, they are not afraid to trigger the explosive mechanism that liberates a cloud of pollen in alfalfa flowers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

— The sticky cloud of pollen that had clung to the Augusta National Golf Club like a yellow haze since midmorning Sunday began to clear by 2 15 p.m., just as Tiger Woods ambled from the practice putting green to the 10th tee to join his friend Mark O'Meara for a nine-hole practice round.

The New York Times - Sports

This dense, greenhouse stink is composed of the rot from flood damage, the decay of dead lawn and parks, and bursting, sneezy clouds of weedy pollen from invasive species.

BBC

And the writing, at its best, is wonderfully allusive – a golden cloud of summer pollen is as fecund and generative as the wind Plato thought could impregnate horses – and precise, often finding all manner of surprising likenesses: dragonflies "the size of kitchen matches" cruise the air; cut grass is baled in blue plastic "the exact colour of surgical scrubs".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about seasonal allergies or environmental conditions, use "clouds of pollen" to vividly describe the presence of substantial amounts of pollen in the air.

Common error

Avoid attributing all hazy or dusty conditions to "clouds of pollen". Verify the actual composition of the atmospheric condition, as other factors like smog or dust storms can create similar visual effects.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clouds of pollen" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used as a descriptive element within a sentence. It evokes a visual image and is often connected to discussions about allergies or seasonal changes. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "clouds of pollen" vividly describes substantial airborne pollen, frequently during spring. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage. While grammatically correct, it's more common in news, science, and encyclopedia contexts. Consider alternatives like "masses of pollen" for variety. Be mindful not to over-attribute hazy conditions solely to pollen. It's a descriptive noun phrase, effectively portraying environmental conditions linked to health and seasonal shifts, with a neutral register. As highlighted by the examples, authoritative sources like The Guardian and The New York Times frequently employ this evocative phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

masses of pollen

Focuses on the quantity of pollen, similar to "clouds of pollen".

airborne pollen

Highlights the pollen's presence in the air.

drifting pollen

Emphasizes the movement of pollen through the air.

swirling pollen

Describes the motion of pollen in a circular or turbulent manner.

pollen dust

Refers to pollen as a fine powder.

pollen haze

Indicates a hazy atmosphere due to pollen.

pollen storm

Implies a large and intense release of pollen.

yellow dust clouds

Similar to "clouds of pollen", but focuses on the yellow color of the clouds.

visible pollen

Focuses on pollen that can be seen.

high pollen count

Refers to a large quantity of pollen in a specific location.

FAQs

How can I use "clouds of pollen" in a sentence?

You can use "clouds of pollen" to describe a large amount of pollen visible in the air, such as "During the spring, "clouds of pollen" blanketed the city, causing widespread allergies".

What's a good alternative to "clouds of pollen"?

Alternatives include "masses of pollen", "airborne pollen", or "drifting pollen", depending on the specific context and aspect you want to emphasize.

What causes "clouds of pollen"?

"Clouds of pollen" are typically caused by the release of large quantities of pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds during their pollination seasons, usually in spring and early summer.

Are "clouds of pollen" dangerous?

"Clouds of pollen" themselves are not inherently dangerous, but they can cause significant allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, leading to symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, and difficulty breathing.