littered around

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

On board, you find rag-draped skeletons littered around, snapped rigging, and mysterious gashes in the deck.

The Guardian - Games

All alone in London he found friendships within the Islamic fundamentalist groups littered around London's mosques.

The Guardian

One villager reached by telephone, Sayed Ghusuldin Agha, described body parts littered around the landscape.

The New Yorker

A welter of tiny, intricate puzzles are littered around the room.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Which is fortunate, because Mr. Stillman has perhaps 1,000 tons of rock littered around the property.

The New York Times

The Times writes: One villager reached by telephone, Sayed Ghusuldin Agha, described body parts littered around the landscape.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

"Drunk club patrons were making too much noise and littering around the neighbourhood," recalls Saito Takahiro, the Tokyo lawyer spearheading the new reforms.

Vice

"Drunk club patrons were making too much noise and littering around the neighborhood," recalls Saito Takahiro, the Tokyo lawyer spearheading the new reforms.

Vice

"Legal highs are linked to antisocial behavior, drug dealing, and particularly littering around south London nightlife hotspots such as Vauxhall and Clapham.

Vice

"Legal highs are linked to anti-social behaviour, drug dealing and particularly littering around south London nightlife hotspots such as Vauxhall and Clapham.

Vice

It is also littered with "around 5,000 objects that are either rocket bodies or dead payloads," says Mr Kessler.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "littered around", consider the connotation of untidiness. Choose a more neutral alternative like "scattered" if the messiness is not the primary focus.

Common error

Avoid using "littered around" in formal writing where a more precise or neutral term would be more appropriate. In academic or business contexts, consider alternatives like "distributed" or "scattered" for greater professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "littered around" functions as a verb phrase followed by a preposition, typically used to describe the state of objects being scattered or distributed haphazardly across a given area. It emphasizes the lack of order in the arrangement of these items.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "littered around" effectively conveys a scene of disarray, describing items scattered haphazardly. As pointed out by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and commonly found in news and media contexts. However, remember it carries a negative connotation, so opt for more neutral terms like "scattered about" in formal settings. To prevent misuse, be mindful of the register and audience, especially when aiming for professional precision. While accurate, it is important to consider more descriptive options if the goal is to provide more details about the scene.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strewn around

This alternative strongly emphasizes the act of scattering, nearly identical in meaning and implication to "littered around".

strewn haphazardly

Similar to "strewn around", but highlighting a complete lack of care in distribution.

messily scattered

This maintains the sense of disarray, explicitly adding "messily" to the description.

scattered about

This alternative emphasizes the randomness of distribution, slightly diminishing the sense of disorder.

dispersed throughout

This alternative suggests a more even distribution, reducing the connotation of messiness.

distributed randomly

This alternative highlights the lack of pattern and order, while being more formal.

dotted around

This suggests a sparse and somewhat random distribution, softening the negative connotation of "littered".

spread around

A more general term suggesting a wider area is covered, less forceful in indicating mess.

peppered throughout

This suggests small items distributed across a larger area, changing the visual imagery.

scattered hither and thither

This alternative provides a more archaic and dramatic expression, retaining randomness but emphasizing a less casual tone.

FAQs

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

You can use "littered around" to describe items scattered in a disorderly way, such as, "After the parade, the streets were littered around with confetti and discarded programs."

What's a more formal alternative to "littered around"?

In more formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "scattered about" or "dispersed throughout" to avoid the negative connotation of messiness.

Does "littered around" always imply a negative meaning?

Yes, "littered around" typically implies a negative connotation, suggesting untidiness or disorder. Choose another phrase if you do not mean to convey this negative implication.

What is the difference between "strewn around" and "littered around"?

The phrases are nearly synonymous. "Strewn around" and "littered around" both suggest things scattered carelessly. The choice between them depends on stylistic preference; "littered around" may more strongly suggest messiness.