coating of dust

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "coating of dust" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a layer or film of dust that has settled on a surface, often implying neglect or lack of cleaning. Example: "After weeks of being untouched, the old bookshelf had developed a thick coating of dust."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Let us wipe the thick coating of dust off this old tale of wives again.

The Guardian - Opinion

We drove into a city that was beat-up and bone-white from the sun and a coating of dust.

The New Yorker

He noticed the car's fuel cap was damaged and there was a light coating of dust around the entrance to the fuel tank.

The Guardian

But it was permeated with a thick coating of dust and grime, which corroded organ parts made of leather and other vulnerable materials.

The New York Times - Arts

By contrast, under Ceres' outer coating of dust the asteroid appears to have a thick layer of ice, perhaps 60 miles deep, wrapped around a ball of rock.

The New York Times - Science

For once, no Baghdadi grumbled about the freak sandstorm - the worst in more than 10 years - and the thick coating of dust that surrounded them.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

A thick coat of dust darkened a stack of plastic chairs growing more cockeyed as they ascended a stucco wall.

The New Yorker

But the book's thick coat of dust and its second-hand pricetag of 12 Egyptian pounds suggests it wasn't a happy one.

The Guardian - Books

The fire left some half-melted, looking like figures in a Dali painting, but most are intact underneath a coat of dust.

The New York Times - Magazine

I saw the heavy coat of dust on bed box springs and a kitchen counter of one of the abandoned houses, left here since the early 1930s.

Independent

But here at Taji, aside from some buildings that were clearly ransacked and probably looted of anything valuable, many of the spaces, now covered in a thick coat of dust, were left alone.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the extent of dust, use adjectives like "thick", "thin", "light", or "heavy" to provide a clearer picture. For example, "a thick coating of dust".

Common error

While accurate, repeatedly using "coating of dust" can make your writing monotonous. Vary your descriptions by using synonyms like "layer of dust" or focusing on the source of the dust instead. For example, rather than "the table had a coating of dust", try "the table was covered in a fine layer of sawdust."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "coating of dust" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as a descriptive element within a sentence. It usually modifies another noun, detailing its condition or state. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and provides numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "coating of dust" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase that describes a layer of fine particles settled on a surface. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is generally neutral in tone and can be employed across various contexts, with a prevalence in News & Media. To enrich your writing, consider synonyms such as "layer of dust" or specify the dust source to provide a more vivid description. Be aware of overusing the phrase, and use variety to create more engaging descriptive passages.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

layer of dust

Replaces "coating" with "layer", a direct synonym, offering a slightly different emphasis.

film of dust

Substitutes "coating" with "film", suggesting a thinner layer of dust.

dust layer

Inverts the phrase to emphasize the dust itself.

dust covering

Uses "covering" instead of "coating", focusing on the action of covering.

dust accumulation

Highlights the process of dust building up.

dust deposit

Implies a more substantial or settled layer of dust.

dust shroud

Suggests a more enveloping and obscuring layer of dust.

dust veil

Similar to "shroud", but implies a thinner, more transparent layer.

dust mantle

Evokes a more substantial and encompassing layer of dust, like a cloak.

dust accumulation

Emphasizes the gradual process of dust building up over time.

FAQs

What does "coating of dust" mean?

The phrase "coating of dust" refers to a layer of fine particles that have settled on a surface, often indicating a lack of recent cleaning or disturbance.

What can I say instead of "coating of dust"?

You can use alternatives like "layer of dust", "film of dust", or "dust covering" depending on the context.

How do I use "coating of dust" in a sentence?

You can use "coating of dust" to describe the state of an object. For example, "The old furniture had a thick coating of dust."

Is "coating of dust" formal or informal?

The phrase "coating of dust" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.