gray skies

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gray skies" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe overcast weather or a gloomy atmosphere, often evoking a sense of melancholy or dreariness. Example: "As I looked out the window, the gray skies matched my mood perfectly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Under bluish gray skies.

The New York Times

Under gray skies, FedEx Field was a shrine to Taylor.

The New York Times - Sports

But we only sat sadly under gray skies, and ate tasteless sandwiches.

The New Yorker

A few hundred others are here, munching hay under gray skies.

The New York Times

He has a taste for lowering gray skies and dark roads barely penetrated by sparse headlights.

The New Yorker

For the past five days, Beijing has been a soupy caldron of humid, gray skies.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Electric wires swerve across the gray sky.

The New York Times - Arts

Clouds fused into an overarching gray sky.

The New York Times

and points toward the gray sky.

The Guardian - Books

Below a gray sky, whitecap waves surged against the sand.

The New York Times

The gray sky towers over the tall ugly modern buildings.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context. While "gray skies" is often associated with negative feelings, it can also be used to describe a peaceful, muted scene.

Common error

Avoid using "gray skies" repetitively in your writing. While effective, overuse can make your descriptions monotonous. Instead, diversify your atmospheric descriptions with varied imagery and sensory details.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gray skies" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. It describes the atmospheric condition and can set the scene or establish a particular mood. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

5%

HuffPost

5%

Less common in

The Guardian

2%

The New Yorker

2%

The Washington Post

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gray skies" is a common noun phrase used to describe a sky covered with gray clouds, often associated with a somber or melancholic mood. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in News & Media. While straightforward, its effectiveness depends on the context, and diversifying your descriptive language is advisable to avoid repetition. Related phrases include "overcast skies" and "cloudy skies". Remember that both "gray" and "grey" are acceptable spellings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overcast skies

Focuses on the cloud cover being the primary attribute.

cloudy skies

A more general term for skies covered with clouds.

dull skies

Emphasizes the lack of brightness in the sky.

leaden skies

Conveys a sense of heaviness and gloom.

gloomy skies

Highlights the depressing or somber atmosphere.

somber skies

Similar to gloomy, but with a more serious tone.

steel-gray skies

Specifies the shade of gray, adding a metallic quality.

slate-gray skies

Uses 'slate' to describe the gray tone.

murky skies

Implies a lack of clarity or visibility.

oppressive skies

Focuses on the feeling of weight or burden the skies evoke.

FAQs

How can I use "gray skies" in a sentence?

You can use "gray skies" to describe weather or a gloomy atmosphere, for example: "The city looked depressing under the "gray skies"."

What are some alternatives to "gray skies"?

Alternatives include "overcast skies", "cloudy skies", or "dull skies", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "grey skies" instead of "gray skies"?

"Gray" and "grey" are both acceptable spellings for the color, though "gray" is more common in American English, while "grey" is more common in British English. Both "gray skies" and "grey skies" are correct.

What kind of mood does "gray skies" typically evoke?

"Gray skies" typically evoke a sense of melancholy, dreariness, or somberness. However, depending on the context, it can also convey a sense of peacefulness or tranquility.