clouds of spray

USAGE SUMMARY

"clouds of spray" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a scene involving an abundance of water droplets suspended in the air, such as in the aftermath of a water fight. For example, "The kids ran around the garden, their laughter mingling with clouds of spray kicked up by their excited feet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Sterling Ruby edges black clouds of spray with strips of photographs of darkened skies: nothingness frames nothingness.

The New York Times - Arts

We walked to head of the run and discovered that we had the place to ourselves -- except for an endless parade of traffic roaring past just a few yards away, sending up billowing clouds of spray.

The New York Times - Sports

Giant anteaters, tapir and howler monkeys live in the surrounding sub-tropical rainforest, which is kept moist by the clouds of spray from the waterfall.

BBC

Each time I came away overwhelmed by the water's raw power, glad to have seen it and grateful to be cooled by the clouds of spray that gave the Falls their pre-European name: "mosi oa tumya," or the "smoke that thunders".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The Victoria Falls mark the end of the upper course of the Zambezi, as its waters tumble with a thunderous roar and an enormous cloud of spray.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Descending in the mountains calls for quick reactions and split‑second changes of trajectory at the best of times; doing so in a cloud of spray is nightmarish, with every white line or join in the tarmac a possible pitfall.

The Guardian - Sport

You'll see Grindsbrook Clough, Crowden Clough, Crowden Tower and Kinder Downfall, a waterfall that in high winds occasionally has the water blowing back, creating a cloud of spray that can be seen for miles.

The Guardian - Travel

"Every day they walk out the door in a cloud of spray-on macho," Mrs. Mullen said.

The New York Times

By Saturday, when the clouds of pepper spray and tear gas had finally cleared, the central government ordered the police to withdraw.

The New York Times

"This isn't a jeans-and-a-jacket kind of look — it's cocktails and an event," Pita noted, as the delicate clouds of hair spray settled around him.

The New York Times

At least 141 people were arrested Thursday after hundreds of police officers in riot gear, flanked by military vehicles releasing high-pitched "sound cannon" blasts, moved slowly forward, firing clouds of pepper spray at activists who refused to move. .

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "clouds of spray" to vividly describe the visual effect of numerous fine droplets dispersed in the air, often associated with waterfalls, ocean waves, or industrial processes.

Common error

Avoid using "cloud of spray" when referring to a collection of individual droplets. "Clouds of spray" implies multiple dispersed masses, while a single mass could be described as "a cloud of spray."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clouds of spray" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It describes a visual phenomenon, as Ludwig's examples show, such as the spray from a waterfall.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clouds of spray" is a noun phrase used to vividly describe the visual effect of fine droplets dispersed in the air. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct, although relatively rare. The phrase is commonly used in neutral contexts such as news, encyclopedias and science, evoking images of waterfalls or similar scenes. When using "clouds of spray", ensure that you are describing multiple dispersed masses, not a single mass, and consider semantically similar alternatives like "mist of spray" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spray clouds

Inverts the order of the words to put emphasis on the "spray" itself.

mist of spray

Substitutes "clouds" for "mist", suggesting a lighter concentration.

shower of spray

Replaces "clouds" with "shower", implying a more direct and intense burst.

nebulas of spray

Uses "nebulas" to convey a more diffuse and widespread distribution.

billowing spray

Focuses on the action of the spray as it expands outward.

drifting spray

Emphasizes the movement of the spray carried by air currents.

airborne spray

Highlights the fact that the spray is suspended in the air.

fine spray

Specifies that the spray consists of tiny droplets.

watery haze

Describes the phenomenon as a light, diffused mist in the air.

maritime aerosol

Uses scientific terminology to specify that spray is suspended in air.

FAQs

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

You can use "clouds of spray" to describe a scene with a large amount of fine droplets dispersed in the air. For example: "The powerful waterfall generated "clouds of spray" that enveloped the surrounding area."

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

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "mist of spray" or "shower of spray" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "a cloud of spray" instead of "clouds of spray"?

Both are grammatically correct, but they convey different meanings. "A cloud of spray" refers to a single, localized mass, while ""clouds of spray"" suggests multiple dispersed masses.

What kind of imagery does "clouds of spray" evoke?

"Clouds of spray" typically evoke images of powerful natural phenomena like waterfalls or ocean waves, or perhaps industrial processes involving atomization or dispersion of liquids.