covered with soot

USAGE SUMMARY

"covered with soot" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it in many contexts. For example, "After the chimney fire, the walls were covered with soot."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Everything was covered with soot and black sludge.

The New York Times

Outside the apartment he ran into the landlord, wild-eyed and covered with soot.

The New Yorker

At the hospital, he lay on a stretcher, his clothes covered with soot.

The New York Times

Snow ordinarily reflects the sun's rays, but when the white landscape is covered with soot, the darker surface absorbs heat instead.

The New York Times - Science

Green roofs improve each year as vegetation becomes denser and taller.But after a few months, a white roof tends to look like city snow — covered with soot.

The New York Times

She still has the dingy white helmet her husband wore, adorned with two small blue ribbons for prostate cancer awareness and covered with soot from his final fire.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The ceiling, which was covered with black soot, was just a foot above our heads.

The New York Times - Travel

In addition, appliances like televisions and microwaves inexplicably failed, and silver and copper items were covered with black soot.

The New York Times

This newly developed material offered great promise: lightweight compared with stone, easy to produce and covered with a soot-resistant glaze.

The New York Times

His clothes were covered with ashes and soot from the chimney.

The New Yorker

More than a hundred years later, the tower, now covered with decades of soot, remains a Baltimore landmark of sorts, like the nearby Bromo-Seltzer tower.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a scene after a fire or explosion, use "covered with soot" to vividly convey the extent of the damage and the pervasive presence of combustion residue.

Common error

Avoid using "covered in soot" metaphorically in contexts where literal cleanliness or purity is desired. The phrase strongly evokes images of dirt and damage, making it unsuitable for describing something meant to be pristine or unblemished.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "covered with soot" is as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun by indicating that the noun is coated or layered with soot. Ludwig confirms its correct and usable nature in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "covered with soot" functions as a descriptive phrase, most often used to depict scenes affected by fire or combustion. Analysis shows it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, with a neutral tone. Ludwig's examples confirm its usage in news, media and general descriptions. While versatile, it's best to avoid metaphorical uses where cleanliness is implied. Alternatives such as "blackened with soot" or "smothered in soot" can offer nuanced descriptions. It is a common phrase and you are safe to use it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

smothered in soot

Replaces "covered" with "smothered", emphasizing a more complete or heavy coating of soot.

coated with soot

Substitutes "covered" with "coated", suggesting a layer of soot.

blackened with soot

Focuses on the color change caused by the soot, using "blackened" instead of "covered".

grimed with soot

Replaces "covered" with "grimed", highlighting the dirty nature of the soot covering.

covered in black dust

Replaces "soot" with "black dust", describing the material by its appearance.

layered with soot

Uses "layered" to describe the application of soot.

streaked with soot

Indicates that the soot is not evenly distributed, but rather in streaks.

stained with soot

Implies that the soot has left a permanent mark or discoloration.

dusted with soot

Suggests a light covering of soot, like a dusting of powder.

marked by soot

Focuses on the soot as a marker or sign of something, rather than just a covering.

FAQs

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

You can use "covered with soot" to describe something that has been affected by smoke and ash, such as "After the fire, the building was "covered with soot"".

What are some alternatives to saying "covered with soot"?

Some alternatives include "smothered in soot", "blackened with soot", or "coated with soot", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "covered with soot" in formal writing?

Yes, "covered with soot" is appropriate in formal writing, especially when describing factual events or scenes. However, consider the overall tone and audience to ensure it fits the context.

What's the difference between "covered with soot" and "covered with ash"?

"Covered with soot" implies a coating of fine, black carbon particles from incomplete combustion, while "covered with ash" suggests a coating of the powdery residue left after burning. The former often indicates a smoldering fire, and the latter a complete burning.