gets covered with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gets covered with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that becomes coated or enveloped by another substance or material. Example: "The car gets covered with dust after sitting in the garage for weeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

She just gets covered with hives".

The New York Times

Sometimes, when there is a lot of wind, the whole area gets covered with ash.

The Guardian

In terms of content, probably not; but you'll be less likely to care if the screen gets covered with applesauce.

The New York Times

Lime needs to breathe, but if it gets covered with concrete, it no longer can, which leads to more cracking.

Independent

Eventually, the splinter gets covered with some kind of a tissue and it comes up towards the top of your skin and eventually gets ejected from your body.

Yale University

He is not one of those scruffy types who slops out the seed and gets covered with pigeon droppings — although he does hang around with some of those folks in the park.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

The wall can get covered with tear-outs.

The Guardian - Money

"If people go in, they get covered with scabs," Mr. Zhang said.

The New York Times

Only when they started their journey down through the birth canal did they begin to get covered with microbes.

The New York Times - Science

Over time, implants get covered with fibrotic scar tissue, which would hamper the release of any proteins from the implant.

The Guardian

Dressing-room walls get covered with press cuttings and the team join in a huddle before every game.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process or a condition, "gets covered with" indicates a gradual or eventual state. Use it to show how something changes over time or through specific actions.

Common error

Avoid overusing passive voice constructions like "gets covered with" when active voice would be more direct and engaging. Sometimes "is covered with" is more effective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gets covered with" functions as a passive construction indicating that a subject receives a coating or layer of something. It describes a process or resulting state, as seen in Ludwig's examples like "the screen gets covered with applesauce" or "the splinter gets covered with some kind of a tissue."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Science

13%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "gets covered with" is a common and grammatically sound construction used to describe the process or state of something being coated or layered. According to Ludwig, it is versatile enough for various contexts, from describing everyday occurrences to scientific processes. While generally neutral in tone, it's essential to consider whether a more active voice might be more impactful. Remember that this is mostly utilized in "News & Media" and "Wiki" contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

becomes coated in

Emphasizes a layer forming on a surface.

is enveloped by

Focuses on being completely surrounded or enclosed.

is blanketed with

Highlights a thick, even layer.

is cloaked in

Suggests concealment or disguise by a covering.

is layered with

Focuses on successive layers accumulating.

is sheathed in

Implies a close-fitting or protective covering.

is daubed with

Suggests an uneven or irregular application.

is plastered with

Implies a heavy or excessive application.

is festooned with

Suggests a decorative or ornamental covering.

accumulates a layer of

Highlights the gradual buildup of a covering substance.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "gets covered with" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "becomes coated in", "is enveloped by", or "is layered with" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "gets covered in" and "gets covered with"?

While both phrases are similar, "gets covered in" often implies being immersed or deeply involved, whereas "gets covered with" simply indicates a surface layer. The choice depends on whether the covering is superficial or more extensive.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "gets covered with"?

While "gets covered with" is inherently passive, consider rewriting the sentence in active voice for clarity and impact. For example, instead of "The table gets covered with dust", try "Dust covers the table".

What are some alternatives to "gets covered with" for describing snow?

When describing snow, you could use alternatives like "is blanketed with", "is dusted with", or "is mantled with" to evoke different visual images of the snow's coverage.