interspersed by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "interspersed by" is not correct; the correct form is "interspersed with." You can use it when describing something that is mixed or scattered among other things.
Example: "The garden was interspersed with colorful flowers and lush greenery."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Plowed fields are interspersed by houses and dirt roads.

The New York Times

There has been plentiful rain, interspersed by gorgeous sunny days.

The Guardian - Travel

The portraits are interspersed by deftly sketched postcard-size landscape drawings (Johnson).

The New York Times - Arts

Its streets are interspersed by nine village greens with playgrounds, playing fields and outdoor pools.

The New York Times

For decades Turks had endured a string of fractious and corrupt coalitions, interspersed by military coups.

The Economist

The choreography is similarly inventive, its default ballroom steps interspersed by an exuberant hoedown, a roller-skating routine.

The Guardian

She later described their life together as moments of "suffocating dullness interspersed by violent and near suicidal flashes of excitement".

The Guardian - Arts

She described their life together as moments of "suffocating dullness interspersed by violent and near suicidal flashes of excitement".

The Guardian - Arts

Work on the recent Tate commission, and his forthcoming American retrospective, was interspersed by constant travels, other projects and enthusiasms.

The Guardian

The Fire Island National Seashore includes the seven-mile-long Otis Pike Wilderness Area and about six miles interspersed by developed areas.

The New York Times

The Long Island National Cemetery in Farmingdale is a beautiful and solemn place of sweeping grass interspersed by bright white marble graves.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "interspersed by" is frequently used, prioritize using "interspersed with" in formal writing to maintain grammatical correctness. Consider the context to determine if alternative phrasings like "scattered among" or "mixed with" might be more appropriate.

Common error

The most common mistake is using "by" instead of "with" after "interspersed". Always remember that the correct preposition to use is "with" to ensure grammatical accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "interspersed by" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a noun or verb to describe how elements are distributed or mixed within something else. Ludwig AI marks this phrase as grammatically incorrect, with the correct form being "interspersed with."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "interspersed by" is commonly found across diverse sources, including scientific and news media as shown by Ludwig, it is considered grammatically incorrect. The preferred and more accurate phrasing is "interspersed with". Although widely used, remember that in formal writing and academic contexts, prioritizing "interspersed with" ensures correctness. Alternatives like "scattered among" or "mixed with" can also be considered based on the specific nuance you aim to convey. Keep in mind that "by" indicates the agent performing an action, while "with" indicates inclusion or accompaniment, making "interspersed with" the appropriate choice for describing elements mixed together.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

interspersed with

This is the grammatically correct and most direct alternative, replacing "by" with "with" to adhere to standard English usage.

scattered among

This alternative emphasizes the distribution of elements, suggesting a less structured arrangement.

mixed with

This option highlights the combination of different elements, focusing on the blending aspect.

punctuated by

This suggests distinct elements appearing at intervals, creating a sense of rhythm or emphasis.

dotted with

This implies small, distinct elements spread across a surface or area.

broken up by

This conveys a sense of interruption or division caused by the inserted elements.

interrupted by

Highlights the way one thing stops another from continuing without the interference.

distributed among

Suggests that elements are deliberately spread out within something else.

strewn with

Implies a random or scattered distribution of elements, often in a decorative or unplanned manner.

laced with

This suggests that elements are subtly or intricately woven into something else.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say something is mixed in?

The correct way is to say that something is "interspersed with" rather than "interspersed by". For example, "The text was "interspersed with" images" is correct.

Are there alternatives to "interspersed by"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "mixed with", "scattered among", or "punctuated by" depending on the specific context you want to convey. However, "interspersed with" remains the grammatically standard choice.

What does "interspersed with" mean?

"Interspersed with" means that something is scattered or mixed among other things, appearing at intervals or in between. It suggests a non-uniform distribution.

How can I remember to use "interspersed with" instead of "interspersed by"?

Think of "with" as indicating accompaniment or inclusion. The items are included with the main element, creating a mixture or scattering effect. Using mnemonics or associating "interspersed" with "with" can help.