coat with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "coat with" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is often used when referring to applying a layer of something onto a surface or object. For example: - "The chef carefully coated the chicken with a delicious herb rub before baking it." - "Before painting the table, make sure to coat it with a layer of primer first." - "The car was coated with a layer of snow after the winter storm." - "For extra protection, you can coat your phone with a screen protector."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Toss to coat with oil.

The New York Times

Turn to coat with sauce.

The New York Times - Magazine

Stir well to coat with dressing.

The New York Times - Style

Add shrimp and coat with sauce.

The New York Times

Stir-fry to coat with sauce.

The New York Times - Food

Finally coat with breadcrumbs and set aside.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Stir well to coat with the oil.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

3. Add the potato and stir to coat with butter.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Add split peas and toss to coat with oil.

The New York Times

Add vegetables, and toss to coat with oil.

The New York Times - Food

Proenza Schouler showed one coat with silvery strands.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "coat with", be specific about what is being applied and to what. For example, instead of saying "coat with sauce", specify "coat the chicken with barbecue sauce".

Common error

Avoid using passive constructions that obscure the actor. Instead of "the potatoes were coated with oil", prefer the active voice: "toss the potatoes to coat with oil".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "coat with" functions as a transitive verb phrase, where "coat" is the verb indicating the action of covering, and "with" introduces the substance used for covering. This usage is consistent with Ludwig's analysis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "coat with" is a versatile and commonly used verb phrase that describes the act of covering something with a substance. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and the examples demonstrate its application across various contexts, from culinary arts to material sciences. The analysis shows the phrase is most frequently used in News & Media and Wiki sources, which suggests a neutral register. When using this phrase, remember to specify what is being covered and with what, and consider using active voice for greater clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cover in

Focuses on completely enveloping something.

apply to

Emphasizes the act of putting something onto a surface.

spread over

Suggests a more even and sometimes thinner application.

dress with

Often used in culinary contexts to mean adding a sauce or dressing.

glaze with

Specifically refers to applying a glossy coating.

layer with

Implies applying something in distinct layers.

infuse with

Involves permeating something with a flavor or quality, metaphorically coating it.

smother in

Suggests a heavy or excessive application.

dust with

Involves applying a fine powder.

saturate with

Implies soaking or thoroughly covering something with a liquid.

FAQs

How do I use "coat with" in a recipe?

In recipes, "coat with" typically means to evenly cover food with a substance like flour, sauce, or spices. For example, "Coat the chicken with breadcrumbs before frying".

What's a good synonym for "coat with" in cooking?

In a cooking context, alternatives to "coat with" include "dress with", "glaze with", or "toss with" depending on the substance and method.

Is it correct to say "coat in" instead of "coat with"?

While "coat in" might be heard in informal speech, "coat with" is the grammatically standard and more widely accepted form. It's best to use "coat with" in formal writing and professional contexts.

Can "coat with" be used metaphorically?

Yes, "coat with" can be used metaphorically to describe covering something with a non-physical substance. For example, "The city was coated with a sense of unease".