littered about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "littered about" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe items or objects that are scattered or spread out in a disorganized manner in a particular area. Example: "After the party, the yard was littered about with empty bottles and discarded wrappers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

He takes you down to the Neretva gorge, and you stand below where the bridge used to be, and there are pieces of the Old Bridge littered about, and he can tell you where each piece used to fit, and how it was cut, and point out the mason's marks.

The New York Times - Magazine

Take away the lingerie mannequins, sensual posters, and pleasure objects littered about, and the Lelo office looks like any other modern office floor in any other country.

Vice

It's the story of their arriving in this land which is littered about -- as the American and British armies learned about Iraq -- with a religion that is alive and well.

Huffington Post

Corpses of people are littered about.

The New York Times

Rubble was littered about the building.

The New York Times

Dead dogs were stacked outside small kennels, and empty, dirty water bowls were littered about, officials said.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Bethany Bristow creates blobby sculptures out of melted bottles, feathers and corn syrup, which she litters about the gallery floor like runny dog droppings or messy road kill.

The New York Times

A cement pier awash with bile, blood, and stomach contents was littered with about 200 dead sandbars, makos, great whites, duskies, blues, and other shark species so hacked up I couldn't identify them.

Yale University

At any given moment, my bedroom floor is littered with about ten books.

The New Yorker

Last week, the lot appeared much tidier but was still littered with about a dozen construction vehicles.

The New York Times

By Meredith Blake May 14, 2010 At any given moment, my bedroom floor is littered with about ten books.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "littered about" to vividly describe a scene where objects are scattered in a disorganized or untidy manner. This phrase is particularly effective when emphasizing the abundance or haphazard arrangement of items.

Common error

While acceptable in news and media, avoid overusing "littered about" in highly formal writing, such as academic papers or business reports. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "scattered around" or "dispersed" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "littered about" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by describing the manner in which something is scattered or distributed. Ludwig examples show it depicting scenes with scattered objects.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "littered about" effectively conveys a sense of disorganization and abundance. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media, its register remains largely neutral, making it a versatile choice for descriptive writing. When a more formal tone is required, considering alternatives like "scattered around" can ensure appropriateness. Overall, "littered about" serves as a useful tool for vividly depicting scenes with scattered items, but context should be considered.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

littered around

A more straightforward, less figurative alternative.

scattered around

Emphasizes the random distribution of items over an area.

strewn about

Highlights a more forceful or haphazard scattering.

scattered randomly

Similar to "strewn randomly", but with a slightly less forceful connotation.

dispersed around

Suggests a wider and less concentrated distribution.

spread around

Focuses on the extent of the dispersal.

strewn randomly

Emphasizes the lack of a discernible pattern.

scattered hither and thither

Implies a chaotic and undirected scattering.

strewn hither and yon

Similar to "scattered hither and thither", but with a slightly archaic tone.

distributed haphazardly

Highlights the lack of order in the distribution.

FAQs

How can I use "littered about" in a sentence?

You can use "littered about" to describe items scattered in a disorganized way, such as: "After the storm, debris was littered about the yard." or "Old books were littered about the dusty attic."

What's a synonym for "littered about"?

Alternatives to "littered about" include "scattered around", "strewn about", or "dispersed around", each offering a slightly different nuance.

Is "littered about" formal or informal?

"Littered about" is generally considered suitable for neutral to slightly informal contexts. In highly formal writing, consider alternatives like "scattered around".

What does "littered about" mean?

"Littered about" means scattered or spread around in a disorganized or untidy manner, suggesting an abundance or haphazard arrangement of items.