drift of leaves

USAGE SUMMARY

"drift of leaves" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a pile or collection of leaves that have been blown together by the wind. Example: As they walked through the park, they were struck by the beauty of the autumn colors and the gentle drift of leaves scattered across the ground.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

October is associated with the yellow drift of leaves.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

ALL you could hear on Patrick and Sara Price's forested block last Saturday was the drift of autumn leaves and the thunder of seven skateboards on plywood.

The New York Times

She grabs the old orange crate out of the back of Piotr's car, climbs up on it, and boosts herself up to the top of the wall, where Piotr grabs her and helps her over; she lands in a drift of autumn leaves with a crunch that makes her wince.

The Guardian

Halloween is usually a time when children with treat bags slosh through drifts of fallen leaves, and bare limbs and branches are eerily etched against a moonlit sky.

The New York Times

Angular neon-tube trees – that look like they're doing calisthenics, drifts of fallen leaves, a hosepipe snaking through a metal grille, all have their place in his work.

The Guardian - Arts

The traveler customarily tosses the farewell lei onto the harbour waters as his ship leaves; the drift of the lei back to the shore indicates that he will someday return to the islands.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A day later in Castaño de Robledo a small table was put outside Paqi's bar and laden with glasses of rough red wine and slices of chorizo, salchica and ham fanned out on a plate like a drift of red and gold autumn leaves.

The Guardian - Travel

Nearby, Rising Sun Lane is edged in drifts of soggy orange leaves and outgrown hedgerows of beech with mossy trunks alongside the Prince of Wales mine – now a scheduled monument.

The Guardian

Arriving here at the heart of the high-risk fire region, firefighting teams from as far as Alaska and California are finding that the drought threat along the East Coast, severe as it is, is secondary to a wave of nearly continuous arson attacks in thick pine woods crisp with drifts of summer-dry leaves.

The New York Times

And when he ascends to heaven, he is truly gone, leaving just a drift of vapor in the sky and the disciples below, arms stretched wide, like fledglings trying to fly.

The New York Times - Arts

Plummer, who signed with the Denver Broncos in March, admitted that his mind drifted to the prospect of leaving the Cardinals even while he was playing for them.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "drift of leaves" to evoke a gentle, visually pleasing image of accumulated foliage, often associated with autumn. It works well in descriptive writing, especially when emphasizing the effect of wind.

Common error

Avoid using "drift of leaves" to describe other types of debris or materials unless the intention is metaphorical. The phrase is strongly associated with autumn and fallen foliage; using it outside of this context may sound unnatural or forced.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drift of leaves" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as a subject or object within a sentence. Ludwig AI indicates its correct usage in describing accumulated foliage, often associated with autumn. The example provided by Ludwig further shows it's function in a real life usage context.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "drift of leaves" is a grammatically sound noun phrase that evokes images of accumulated foliage, primarily in an autumnal context. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status in written English. It appears most frequently in News & Media sources. While semantically valid, related phrases like "pile of leaves" may be more common in everyday conversation. When using this phrase, consider the autumnal imagery and context to ensure appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scattering of leaves

Focuses on the dispersal rather than the accumulation of leaves.

pile of leaves

Emphasizes the accumulated quantity of leaves.

accumulation of foliage

More formal and uses "foliage" instead of "leaves".

shower of leaves

Highlights the falling or descending motion of leaves.

carpet of leaves

Describes the leaves covering the ground like a carpet.

collection of leaves

A general term for gathered leaves without the wind aspect.

windblown leaves

Focuses on the effect of the wind on the leaves.

layer of leaves

Describes a covering of leaves, implying a flat expanse.

mass of leaves

Emphasizes the bulk or density of the leaves.

cascade of leaves

Suggests a flowing or falling movement, similar to a waterfall.

FAQs

How can I use "drift of leaves" in a sentence?

You can use "drift of leaves" to describe a pile or collection of leaves that have been blown together by the wind, such as, "The children played in the large "drift of leaves" in the park".

What is a more common phrase for "drift of leaves"?

While "drift of leaves" is evocative, phrases like "pile of leaves" or "scattering of leaves" are more commonly used in everyday language.

Is "drift of leaves" formal or informal?

"Drift of leaves" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal phrase suitable for descriptive writing or literary contexts, rather than casual conversation.

Can "drift of leaves" be used metaphorically?

Yes, "drift of leaves" can be used metaphorically to describe something resembling a collection or accumulation, although it's less common. For instance, "a "drift of leaves" of memories".