littered on the table

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "littered on the table" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct preposition should be "littered across the table" or "littered on the floor." Example: "After the party, the remnants of snacks and drinks were littered across the table, making it look chaotic."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Discarded betel nuts and paan spittle littered on the ground.

Huffington Post

The loot, it should be said, is more artfully littered on folding tables and display fixtures than on the average lawn in Ulster County, and the whimsical collage of clothing pinioned to the walls came from Rosler's own closets.

The New Yorker

As I walked through the reception area and into the locker rooms and saunas themselves, I spotted old magazines littered on mid-century coffee tables and pictures of Finnish pin-ups adorning the wood-panelled walls.

The Guardian - Travel

Cohen littered the table with schematic drawings.

The New Yorker

I already knew all about this," he said, pointing at the cocaine that littered the table.

Vice

A mass of papers and purple tulip petals from a dishevelled bouquet littered the dining table.

The New Yorker

Sometimes, the auctioneer puts one dog up for bid, and other times, a whole litter of puppies will be on the table.

The Washington Post

These bottoms adorn the novelty cups that litter the table on screen and at which viewers sit (it's a simulation of the on-screen simulation).

The Guardian - Arts

The building's owners hope to rent the landmark-designated space to Borders, the book-selling chain, but on this day the teller windows stood empty and a few crumpled deposit slips littered the banking tables.

The New York Times

A sack of oozing concrete sits on the table, like a lifeless body, above a bedpan littered with rusty medical instruments.

Los Angeles Times

Anything on the table?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing items scattered on a table, use prepositions like "across" or "around" to indicate distribution more accurately. For example, use "scattered across the table" instead of "littered on the table".

Common error

Avoid using "on" after "littered" when referring to a surface area. Instead, opt for "across", "around", or other prepositions that better convey the distribution of the items.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "littered on the table" functions as a prepositional phrase, often used to describe a state of disorder or untidiness. While it aims to convey the image of scattered items, its grammatical correctness is questionable according to Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "littered on the table" aims to describe a state of disarray, with items scattered across a table's surface. However, according to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically questionable. While examples exist, the recommended alternatives include using prepositions like "across" or "around" for better accuracy. Therefore, phrases like "scattered across the table" or "strewn around the table" offer more grammatically sound and precise descriptions. This analysis suggests that while the intent is clear, opting for alternative phrasing enhances clarity and correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scattered across the table

This alternative focuses on the distribution of items.

strewn across the table

This alternative emphasizes a more haphazard arrangement.

spread out on the table

This alternative suggests a deliberate or even covering arrangement.

covering the table

This alternative indicates that the items completely fill the table's surface.

arranged on the table

This alternative suggest an intentional placement of items.

placed on the table

This alternative is a simple and neutral way to say that items are on the table.

messy table

This alternative focuses on describing the state of the table

cluttered table

This alternative emphasizes the excessiveness of items on the table.

items all over the table

This alternative highlights the dispersion of items.

things scattered on the table

This alternative specifies that the items are unspecified 'things'.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "littered on the table"?

You can use alternatives like "scattered across the table", "strewn across the table", or "spread out on the table" depending on the context.

Is "littered on the table" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "littered on the table" is not considered standard English. It's better to use "littered across the table" or "littered on the floor".

How to use "littered across the table" in a sentence?

Example: After the chaotic meeting, documents and pens were "scattered across the table", a testament to the intense discussion.

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

"Littered on the table" is less precise and less grammatically correct than "scattered across the table", which provides a clearer image of items spread across a surface.