covered with sludge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "covered with sludge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is coated or enveloped in a thick, viscous substance, often in a negative or unpleasant context. Example: "After the heavy rain, the streets were covered with sludge, making it difficult for pedestrians to walk."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The beach where I used to play at Oarai, a town whose name means "big washing" and which sounded romantic in happier times, is covered with sludge.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The interior floor of the Vorbunker was covered with a muddy sludge from having been underwater for so many years.

Wikipedia

Everything was covered with soot and black sludge.

The New York Times

In most places, it is covered with a blanket of sludge that is composed of silt, sewage, industrial wastes, and clotted oil.

The New Yorker

The sludge is covered with a thick layer of gravel, from which rises a small stand of oaks.

The New York Times - Arts

SEMS should be fully covered with a smooth inner surface to prevent stent occlusion by tumor ingrowth, sludge, or food impaction.

Gastrointestinal Intervention

When the water recedes, she said, both the grass and children's toys are covered in sludge.

The New York Times

Open and covered solar sludge drying plants were constructed in pilot scale for experimental purposes.

Renewable Energy

"If that road, because it sits a little bit lower, would be covered in sludge, there would be almost no way out of there," Craig says.

Huffington Post

The high settling velocity of MCP covered by anammox sludge could also reduce the washout of sludge and enable the high VNR.

Biodegradation

Cover with remaining dough.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "covered with sludge", consider the specific type of sludge and its implications for the subject. Adding descriptive adjectives like "toxic sludge" or "black sludge" can enhance the imagery and impact of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "covered with sludge" in highly formal or professional writing unless you are certain that the context justifies such a visceral description. More neutral terms might be more appropriate in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "covered with sludge" functions as a descriptive phrase, specifically a past participle verb phrase acting as an adjective, modifying a noun. According to Ludwig AI, it's used to describe something coated in a thick, viscous substance, often with negative connotations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "covered with sludge" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that effectively conveys the image of something being coated in a thick, unpleasant substance. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it's important to consider the context and audience when using it, as it may not be suitable for all situations. Semantically similar alternatives such as "coated in grime" or "smothered in muck" can be used to achieve a similar effect with different nuances. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, science, and wiki sources, suggesting its appropriateness for describing real-world events and environmental conditions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

coated in grime

This alternative replaces "sludge" with "grime," focusing on the dirty and unpleasant aspect of the covering.

smothered in muck

This alternative uses "muck" to replace "sludge", emphasizing the muddy and messy nature of the substance.

engulfed in filth

This alternative uses "filth" instead of "sludge", highlighting the dirty and repulsive nature of the covering.

layered with sediment

This alternative substitutes "sludge" with "sediment," focusing on the accumulation of solid material.

encrusted with mire

This alternative replaces "sludge" with "mire", stressing the muddy and sticky characteristic of the substance.

plastered with goo

This alternative uses "goo" instead of "sludge", focusing on the sticky and viscous quality of the covering.

smeared with grime

This alternative changes "covered" to "smeared", emphasizing the way the substance is spread on the surface.

drenched in slurry

This alternative replaces "sludge" with "slurry", specifying a watery mixture of insoluble matter.

masked by ooze

This alternative uses "ooze" instead of "sludge", accentuating the slow flowing and seeping nature of the substance.

overlaid with mire

This alternative utilizes "overlaid" instead of "covered" to describe how "mire" lies above.

FAQs

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

You can use "covered with sludge" to describe something coated in a thick, unpleasant substance, for example: "After the flood, the entire town was "covered with sludge"".

What are some alternatives to "covered with sludge"?

Alternatives include "coated in grime", "smothered in muck", or "engulfed in filth", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "covered with sludge" grammatically correct?

Yes, "covered with sludge" is grammatically correct. It uses the past participle of the verb "cover" followed by the preposition "with" and the noun "sludge".

What kind of imagery does "covered with sludge" evoke?

"Covered with sludge" typically evokes a negative image, suggesting something is coated in a dirty, unpleasant, and often viscous substance. It can be used to create a sense of disgust or contamination.