patchy shadow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "patchy shadow" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an uneven or inconsistent shadow, often in contexts related to lighting, art, or nature. Example: "The trees cast a patchy shadow on the ground, creating a dappled effect that danced with the breeze."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Chest CT displayed multiple patchy shadows with cavity.

BMC Gastroenterology

Only light patchy shadows near the chest wall were observed as side effects of treatment.

BMC Cancer

Chest radiographs showed increased lung markings or patchy shadows diagnosed as pneumonia or bronchopneumonia.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

The most common features of these abnormalities were local patchy shadowing and lobular infiltration.

British Medical Journal

Initial testing identified leucopenia and multiple patchy shadows in the lungs bilaterally.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Radiographic results were available for 10 of the 14 HRV-C positive patients, all of wHRV-C positivesed lung markings or patientshallws.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

On the third day, the patient took chest radiography and showed small patchy shadows in lower lobe of the right lung.

Emerging Microbes and Infections

One month after SBRT, the patient experienced severe cough and dyspnea; CT scans showed a stable disease as the response to treatment, and widespread, patchy shadows on both upper lobes (grade 4 RP).

BMC Cancer

The second case, the first case's 4 year old son, was admitted to the same hospital on April 28 with fever and multiple patchy shadows in the bilateral lungs.

BMC Infectious Diseases

It is difficult to precisely determine the cause of pneumonia from radiography, though most radiographic features of local patchy shadowing and the negative results of blood cultures in our study would not seem to support the use of antibiotics for these mildly affected patients.

British Medical Journal

A chest x-ray showed considerable fibrotic interstitial changes associated with patchy parenchymal shadowing in both lower fields and multiple thin-walled cavitary lesions (0.7 3.5 cm) in both upper lobes.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a landscape or scene, use "patchy shadow" to create a sense of depth and texture. The term works best when the light source is partially obscured or filtered, creating an uneven distribution of shade.

Common error

Avoid using "patchy shadow" to describe the physical appearance of solid objects, such as skin or fabric. This phrase is best suited for depicting the interplay of light and shadow, not inherent surface patterns.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "patchy shadow" primarily functions as a descriptive element, typically modifying a noun to indicate an uneven distribution of light and dark areas. Ludwig AI indicates that is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "patchy shadow" is a grammatically sound phrase used to depict an uneven distribution of shade. While not highly frequent, its usage spans across various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. Alternative phrases like "uneven shadow" or "dappled shade" can be used to convey similar meanings, while it's important to avoid misapplying the phrase to describe the appearance of solid objects. The phrase serves primarily to provide visual descriptions, enhancing imagery in writing. Given its neutral register, "patchy shadow" is suitable for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uneven shadow

Emphasizes the lack of uniformity in the shadow's appearance.

dappled shade

Highlights the presence of scattered light and shadow.

intermittent shadow

Focuses on the on-again, off-again nature of the shadow.

blotchy shadow

Emphasizes the irregular shape and distribution of the shadow.

spotted shadow

Highlights the presence of distinct spots within the shadow.

mottled shade

Suggests a variegated pattern of light and shadow.

fragmented shadow

Emphasizes the broken or discontinuous nature of the shadow.

irregular shade

Highlights the non-standard or unpredictable nature of the shading.

variegated shadow

Indicates a varied or diverse pattern of shadows.

checkered shadow

Implies a pattern resembling a checkerboard, with alternating light and dark areas.

FAQs

How can I use "patchy shadow" in a sentence?

You can use "patchy shadow" to describe the uneven distribution of shade caused by a partially obstructed light source. For example, "The trees cast a "patchy shadow" on the lawn".

What are some alternatives to "patchy shadow"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "uneven shadow", "dappled shade", or "intermittent shadow".

Is "patchy shadow" a formal or informal expression?

"Patchy shadow" is a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.

When is it appropriate to use "patchy shadow" versus "irregular shadow"?

While both describe uneven shadows, ""patchy shadow"" often suggests smaller, more distinct areas of light and dark, whereas "irregular shadow" implies a more general lack of uniformity in the shadow's shape or distribution.