dusting of snow

USAGE SUMMARY

"dusting of snow" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a light coating of snow. For example, "A dusting of snow covered the ground after the winter storm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There wasn't even a dusting of snow.

The New York Times - Travel

The ground is covered with a light dusting of snow.

Independent

With a gentle dusting of snow, perhaps even more so.

The New York Times - Travel

In rare instances a dusting of snow covers Buenos Aires itself.

Encyclopedia Britannica

(The chilly damp weather, with a light dusting of snow Thursday evening, didn't help).

The New York Times

She emerged with a dusting of snow on her black nose.

The New York Times - Sports

Winters are relatively short and mild, with the occasional dusting of snow on the summits.

The Guardian

A forecasted dusting of snow can become a 17-inch dumping.

The New York Times

Nothing much; Washington got a dusting of snow, New York a few inches.

The New York Times

Nearby Mount Lofty even had a rare, brief, dusting of snow.

The Guardian

In addition, there was a rare dusting of snow from Cape Canaveral to Daytona Beach.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dusting of snow" to convey a light, thin layer of snow covering a surface, often implying a picturesque or delicate scene. For example, "The mountains had a beautiful dusting of snow on their peaks."

Common error

Avoid using "dusting of snow" to describe heavy or significant snowfall. This phrase specifically refers to a light and superficial covering. For heavier snowfall, use terms like "snowfall", "snowstorm", or "blizzard".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dusting of snow" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a specific weather condition, indicating a light and superficial layer of snow. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dusting of snow" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a light covering of snow. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is appropriate and well-used. It is most frequently found in news and media sources, with a neutral register suitable for describing weather conditions or setting a scene. While alternatives like "light snowfall" or "flurry of snow" exist, "dusting of snow" specifically conveys a thin, delicate layer. Remember to reserve this phrase for light snow coverings and avoid using it for heavier accumulations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

light snowfall

Replaces the descriptive "dusting" with the more straightforward adjective "light".

flurry of snow

Substitutes "dusting" with "flurry", indicating a brief and light fall of snow.

scatter of snow

Uses "scatter" instead of "dusting", suggesting a sparse distribution of snow.

light powdering of snow

Replaces "dusting" with "powdering", emphasizing the fine, light quality of the snow.

slight snow cover

Focuses on the resulting thin layer of snow rather than the act of dusting.

sprinkling of snow

Uses "sprinkling", evoking a delicate and scattered distribution of snow.

trace of snow

Highlights the minimal amount of snow present.

a touch of snow

Emphasizes the slightness and subtlety of the snowfall.

thin coating of snow

Describes the snow as a thin layer covering a surface.

mere suggestion of snow

Indicates an almost imperceptible amount of snow.

FAQs

How to use "dusting of snow" in a sentence?

You can use "dusting of snow" to describe a thin layer of snow covering a surface. For example, "A dusting of snow covered the rooftops, creating a winter wonderland scene".

What can I say instead of "dusting of snow"?

You can use alternatives like "light snowfall", "flurry of snow", or "sprinkling of snow" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "dusting of snow" or "dust of snow"?

"Dusting of snow" is used to describe a light coating of snow. "Dust of snow" refers to snow particles that are like dust. Both are grammatically correct, but have different meanings.

What's the difference between "dusting of snow" and "snow cover"?

"Dusting of snow" implies a very light and thin layer, whereas "snow cover" can refer to any amount of snow that covers the ground, including a substantial accumulation.