covered in bruises

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "covered in bruises" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that has multiple bruises on their body or surface. Example: "After the intense match, he was covered in bruises, a testament to the fierce competition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

And covered in bruises.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

My body was covered in bruises.

The Guardian

She was covered in bruises, and her scalp ached.

The New Yorker

She was covered in bruises and had a skull fracture.

The New York Times

"Two weeks ago my whole body was covered in bruises.

The Guardian

Pereira's mother said her son's body was covered in bruises.

The Guardian

I left the hospital barely able to walk and covered in bruises.

The New York Times

His naked body was covered in bruises, knife slashes and burns.

The Economist

They have photographs of Muad taken after his interrogation, showing him covered in bruises and burns.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

An autopsy found Nixzmary's frail body covered in bruises in various stages of healing, with massive hemorrhaging under her scalp, Ms. Dwimoh said.

The New York Times

The corpse of Valeriu Boboc, a 23-year-old protester, was returned to his parents covered in bruises; the authorities say he was poisoned.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "covered in bruises" to vividly describe physical trauma or intense physical activity. For example, instead of saying "He was injured", specify "He was "covered in bruises" after the fight" to create a stronger image.

Common error

Avoid attributing bruises solely to malicious intent. Bruises can result from accidents, medical treatments, or certain medical conditions, not always abuse or violence. Ensure the context supports the implication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "covered in bruises" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun (typically a person or body part) to indicate the presence and extent of bruising. As evidenced by Ludwig, the phrase clearly and directly communicates a physical condition resulting from trauma or exertion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Lifestyle

2%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "covered in bruises" is a common and grammatically correct descriptive phrase used to vividly portray a state of extensive bruising. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively communicates physical trauma or intense physical activity. While most frequently found in news and media contexts, this phrase carries a neutral tone and is appropriate for various writing styles. When employing this phrase, ensure the context justifies the implication and consider alternatives like "bruised all over" or "marked with bruises" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bruised all over

Replaces the prepositional phrase with an adverbial phrase emphasizing the extent of bruising.

marked with bruises

Focuses on the presence of bruises as a distinguishing mark.

bearing multiple contusions

Uses more formal and medical terminology, replacing "bruises" with "contusions".

covered with contusions

Replaces the word "bruises" with the synonym "contusions".

showing signs of bruising

Shifts the focus to the visible indications of bruising rather than the bruises themselves.

extensively bruised

Uses an adverb to describe the extent of the bruising.

badly bruised

Emphasizes the severity of the bruising.

littered with bruises

Implies a widespread and numerous distribution of bruises.

marked by trauma

Generalizes the condition as a result of trauma, which may or may not be visible as bruises.

bearing the marks of violence

Implies that the bruises are a result of violence or physical assault.

FAQs

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

The phrase "covered in bruises" describes a state where someone or something has many bruises. For example, "After the rugby match, he was "covered in bruises"".

What's a less direct way to say "covered in bruises"?

Alternatives include "bruised all over", which focuses on the extent of bruising, or "showing signs of bruising", which is less explicit.

Is it appropriate to use "covered in bruises" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "covered in bruises" is more suitable for descriptive or narrative writing. Formal contexts might prefer terms like "bearing multiple contusions" for increased precision.

What's the difference between "covered in bruises" and "bruised all over"?

"Covered in bruises" implies a visual state, while "bruised all over" emphasizes the comprehensive distribution of bruises across the body. Both are similar, but "bruised all over" focuses more on extent.