is scattered like

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is scattered like" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is distributed or spread out in a manner similar to another object or concept. Example: "The leaves are scattered like confetti across the lawn after the storm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I pray that we have the courage to shatter certainty, and to recognize that truth is scattered like refracted light among us all, reflected by each of us distinctly and differently, and incomplete in the scope of any one of us - and that we delight, therefore, in discovering one another, and in searching ever onward with one another.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Though bargains may be scattered (like ruins) throughout the older quarters of the city, certain elegant neighborhoods are best avoided entirely — Parioli and the area around Via Veneto, for example.

The New York Times - Travel

If any of the wind gusts that factor so prominently in the sailing drama "All Is Lost" came along when writer-director J.C. Chandor was flipping through the film's screenplay, it's likely his slender manuscript would have been scattered like leaves in a hurricane.

Los Angeles Times

"My friends — good friends that they are — scattered like confetti".

The New York Times

Passengers were scattered like stray cats throughout the plane.

The New York Times

The hundred bones of our feet are scattered like gravel.

The New Yorker

Matches are scattered like confetti: in 2011 Twenty20 matches had 19 different start times.

The Economist

Some of the Great Books are still there, but they've been scattered like the winds.

The New York Times

He aims to consolidate a business that has long been scattered like sprinkles on a cake.

The Economist

Now astronomers know that galaxies are scattered like dust across the cosmos.

The New York Times - Science

When Katrina hit the city, the Nevilles were scattered like other New Orleanians.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is scattered like" to create a vivid image or comparison, helping your reader visualize how something is distributed or spread out. For example, "The stars are scattered like diamonds across the night sky."

Common error

While effective, "is scattered like" can become a cliché if overused. Vary your language by considering synonyms such as "dispersed", "strewn", or "spread" to maintain freshness in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is scattered like" primarily functions as a simile, comparing the distribution of one thing to the scattered arrangement of another. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. Examples illustrate its use in describing physical arrangements and abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is scattered like" functions as a simile, used to vividly describe the distribution or arrangement of something by comparing it to a familiar image. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used. It finds its primary contexts in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business writing. To enhance your writing, use this phrase to create clear and engaging comparisons, but avoid overuse by considering alternatives such as "is dispersed like" or "is strewn like".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is dispersed like

Emphasizes the act of being spread widely and thinly, often implying a deliberate action.

is strewn like

Highlights the act of scattering something by throwing or scattering it loosely.

is spread like

Focuses on the extent to which something covers an area, emphasizing its reach.

is diffused like

Suggests a gradual spreading out, often implying a softening or weakening of intensity.

is distributed like

Implies a more organized or patterned arrangement of items.

is sprinkled like

Suggests a light, random scattering, often used for small particles or elements.

is peppered with

Emphasizes the presence of small, distinct elements scattered throughout something else.

is dotted with

Highlights small, distinct points or objects spread across a surface or area.

is broadcast like

Implies a wide and indiscriminate dissemination, often used in a figurative sense.

is tossed like

Suggests a more forceful or haphazard scattering, as if thrown without much care.

FAQs

How can I use "is scattered like" in a sentence?

Use "is scattered like" to draw a comparison between the distribution of something and a familiar visual. For instance, "Her toys were "strewn like" leaves after a storm" vividly portrays the disarray.

What are some alternatives to "is scattered like"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "is dispersed like", "is strewn like", or "is distributed like" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it always appropriate to use similes like "is scattered like" in formal writing?

While similes can enhance writing, they should be used judiciously in formal contexts. Ensure the comparison is relevant and adds clarity rather than detracting from the professional tone.

How does the choice of the object being compared to affect the meaning of "is scattered like"?

The object you compare to significantly shapes the image. Saying something "is scattered like confetti" suggests randomness and celebration, while "is scattered like debris" implies chaos and destruction.