covered in

USAGE SUMMARY

'covered in' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is completely covered in something else. For example: "The entire surface of the cake was covered in sprinkles."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"You're covered in sweat?

The New York Times

Yes, covered in sparkles.

The New York Times

I'm covered in petroglyphs.

The New Yorker

It's covered in poetry.

The New York Times - Magazine

Keep covered in the refrigerator.

The New York Times

Caskets covered in American flags.

The New Yorker

Covered in a striped slipcover".

The New Yorker

I was covered in wounds.

Independent

I am covered in dog.

The New York Times

"It's all covered in confetti".

The New York Times - Arts

Pages covered in strange script.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "covered in", ensure the noun following "in" is specific and concrete to create a vivid image for the reader. For example, "covered in mud" is more impactful than "covered in something."

Common error

Avoid using abstract nouns with "covered in". For instance, saying "covered in happiness" is less effective than "filled with happiness". "Covered in" works best with tangible substances or materials.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "covered in" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that it is enveloped or coated with something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, showcasing usage in various contexts to vividly describe the state of an object or person.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "covered in" is a grammatically sound and common descriptive phrase used to indicate that something is completely enveloped or coated with something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase appears frequently in news media and informal writing, offering a vivid and straightforward way to describe a visual state. Related phrases include "drenched in" and "smothered in", each providing slightly different nuances. When using "covered in", it is best to pair it with concrete nouns for greater impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

drenched in

Implies a more intense saturation, often with liquid.

filled with

Suggests an internal space being occupied.

smothered in

Indicates a thick layer covering something, often food.

coated with

Describes a thin layer applied to a surface.

immersed in

Suggests being deeply involved or surrounded.

awash in

Implies an abundance, often overwhelming.

laden with

Indicates being heavily burdened or filled.

strewn with

Suggests scattering something loosely over a surface.

blanketed in

Implies a complete and often soft covering, like snow.

decorated with

Suggests an ornamental or aesthetic covering.

FAQs

How can I use "covered in" in a sentence?

You can use "covered in" to describe something that is completely enveloped by something else, like "The car was "covered in snow"" or "I'm "covered in dust" after working in the garden."

What's a more formal alternative to "covered in"?

In more formal contexts, consider using "coated with" or "laden with" depending on the specific meaning you intend to convey. For example, instead of "The surface was "covered in paint"", you might say "The surface was "coated with paint"".

Is it correct to say "covered by" instead of "covered in"?

While "covered by" is grammatically correct, it has a slightly different meaning. "Covered by" typically implies protection or being concealed, whereas "covered in" implies a complete surface coating. For instance, "covered by insurance" versus "covered in leaves".

What are some common things that are described as being "covered in"?

Common examples include things being "covered in snow", "covered in mud", "covered in dust", or "covered in chocolate". These phrases typically describe a tangible substance completely enveloping a surface.