littered across

USAGE SUMMARY

"littered across" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is scattered or spread out across an area. Example: The streets were littered across with debris from the storm.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The signs of surrender were littered across the Capitol on Thursday.

The Washington Post

Within seconds, the other Yankees were littered across the infield, exchanging hugs and high-fives.

The New York Times - Sports

Approximately 4.5tn of the 6tn cigarettes consumed annually are littered across the globe.

The Guardian

The site became another of the roughly 50,000 "orphaned" mines littered across Australia.

The Guardian

Goat skeletons lie littered across the island, according to the statement.

The Guardian

Like the shattered phone littered across the playground, the education system is strewn with political debris.

The Guardian

For example, the option for players to collect 55 backpacks littered across New York sounds like a chore.

The Washington Post

The match was an end-to-end affair with some astonishing refereeing decisions littered across the dramatic match.

The Guardian - Sport

Part of the dilemma is that we now have dozens or maybe hundreds of accounts littered across the Web, with our usernames and passwords acting as our fingerprints.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

In addition, one pup was randomly selected at PND1 from litters across the second and third cohorts for corticosterone (CORT) analysis.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Houses are littered randomly across landscapes of tremendous beauty, and are so disaggregated that they're almost impossible to provide with public services.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "littered across" to vividly describe a scene where items are scattered haphazardly, emphasizing the disarray and extent of the distribution. It effectively paints a picture of disorder and wide coverage.

Common error

While "littered across" is widely understood, avoid it in highly formal or professional writing where a more neutral term like "distributed across" or "scattered throughout" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "littered across" typically functions as a modifier, often used in conjunction with a noun phrase to describe how objects or elements are distributed over a particular area. Ludwig AI confirms that it's a correct and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "littered across" is a versatile phrase used to describe the scattered distribution of items over an area, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions primarily as a modifier and carries a generally neutral tone, making it suitable for various contexts, especially News & Media. While grammatically correct and very common, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives in professional writing. The phrase paints a vivid picture of disarray, contributing to the reader's understanding of the scene, and is well-supported by examples from authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scattered throughout

Emphasizes a more random distribution within a defined space.

strewn across

Similar to "littered", but can imply a more forceful or chaotic scattering.

spread over

Indicates a broader, less dense distribution across a surface.

distributed among

Suggests a deliberate or even allocation to different parts.

scattered around

Implies objects are not necessarily neatly arranged in one direction.

dispersed throughout

Highlights the act of something being spread widely.

covering the area

Indicates something spreading to fill or occupy a specific zone

dotting the landscape

Suggests smaller elements are scattered across a space, frequently rural.

peppered throughout

Suggests many small objects are scattered or distributed in a larger context.

spread out over

Indicates less density, but a wide surface is taken up

FAQs

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

Use "littered across" to describe items scattered haphazardly over an area. For example, "Debris was "littered across" the streets after the parade".

What can I say instead of "littered across"?

You can use alternatives like "scattered throughout", "strewn across", or "spread over" depending on the specific context.

Is "littered across" a formal or informal expression?

"Littered across" is generally considered a neutral expression suitable for most contexts. However, in extremely formal or professional writing, alternatives like "distributed among" or "dispersed throughout" might be preferred.

What's the difference between "littered across" and "scattered across"?

While both phrases describe items being spread out, "littered across" often implies a more disorganized and unwanted distribution, suggesting something is messy or out of place. "Scattered across" can be more neutral.