dusted with ash

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dusted with ash" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has a light covering of ash, often in a poetic or descriptive context. Example: "The landscape was eerily beautiful, dusted with ash from the recent volcanic eruption."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

He was led through a basement and out onto Church Street, his head and shoulders dusted with ash.

The New York Times

His ashtray is tucked in the upper-right-hand corner of the organ console, and the high-register keys are dusted with ash.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The fibers are laid out in radial lines calculated to match the loads, and where the fibers come together in areas of maximum stress the sail has a distinct look, as if it has been dusted with ashes. 1 2 Next Page ».

The New York Times - Science

His trousers were an ancient pinstripe, fastened at the waist with a safety pin; his greyed vest was heavily dusted with cigarette ash.

The Guardian

McTague makes the fresh curd most days – in one dish, carried over from Aumbry, it's served dusted with hay ash on a plate of snails and mushrooms.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Chagak ends up with some babies, and even with prehistoric sociopaths wandering about everywhere, action stops again, when those babies' sealskin diapers get changed, and their bottoms dusted with fine ash from the campfires...

Los Angeles Times

Next, a near-perfect dish of fleshy roasted escolar dusted with the ashes of burnt onion, seaweed and a smoky parsnip purée.

The New York Times

One ambitious dish (confit chicken with egg yolk, carrot puree and pistachio, £8.50) is a clanger – the chicken rendered as rather rubbery pucks dusted with bitter "leek ash".

The Guardian - Travel

It's a noteworthy touch, especially since his food — artfully plated creations like lobster carpaccio with black tomatoes, microgreens tangled with watermelon and goat cheese, cream of corn soup dusted with truffled tortilla ashes, house-made huitlacoche ravioli, blue-cheese-filled chocolate fondant — takes good care of you all on its own.

The New York Times - Travel

Then Mr. Giuliani was led through a basement and out onto Church Street, his head and shoulders dusted white with ash.

The New York Times

That bread, rough-hewn, striated from the grill and glossy with good oil, comes with whipped butter dusted with jet-black onion "ash".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dusted with ash" to create a visual image of a light coating of ash on a surface. It's effective in descriptive writing, particularly when setting a scene after a volcanic eruption or fire.

Common error

Avoid using "dusted with ash" metaphorically if it doesn't relate to a literal ash covering. Overusing it in unrelated contexts can diminish its impact and appear cliché.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dusted with ash" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun by specifying that it has a light covering of ash. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, particularly in descriptive contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dusted with ash" is a descriptive phrase used to depict a light covering of ash. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in written English, particularly in descriptive contexts relating to events like volcanic eruptions or fires. While "dusted with ash" is correct, alternative phrases like ""coated in ash"" or "sprinkled with ash" might be more suitable depending on the specific context. It's most commonly found in news and media but can also appear in scientific writing, offering a vivid image of ash-covered surfaces.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

coated in ash

This alternative emphasizes a more complete covering compared to "dusted".

sprinkled with ash

This alternative suggests a less uniform distribution of ash than "dusted".

covered lightly with ash

This alternative explicitly states the light nature of the covering.

layered with ash

This suggests a more distinct layer of ash, rather than a light dusting.

powdered with ash

This alternative suggests a fine, powdery covering of ash.

smothered in ash

Implies a heavier, more complete coverage than the original phrase.

ash-covered

A concise adjective form indicating the presence of ash.

ash-coated

Similar to "ash-covered", but emphasizes the coating aspect.

with a sprinkling of ash

Focuses on the action of sprinkling rather than the state of being dusted.

having a fine layer of ash

More verbose, explicitly describing a fine layer.

FAQs

How can I use "dusted with ash" in a sentence?

You can use "dusted with ash" to describe a surface that has a light covering of ash. For instance, "After the eruption, the town was "coated in ash" and debris."

What's a more descriptive alternative to "dusted with ash"?

Depending on the context, you might use phrases like "sprinkled with ash" or "covered lightly with ash" to provide a more vivid image.

Is it correct to use "dusted with ash" metaphorically?

While it's grammatically correct, using "dusted with ash" metaphorically might sound awkward unless the context closely relates to the literal image of ash covering something. Consider alternatives that better convey your intended meaning.

What kind of imagery does "dusted with ash" evoke?

"Dusted with ash" evokes a sense of recent destruction or natural disaster, like a volcanic eruption or a fire. It implies a thin, widespread layer of residue covering surfaces.