scattered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scattered" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is spread out or distributed irregularly over an area or among a group. Example: "The leaves were scattered across the lawn after the storm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His ferocious straight drives scattered the non-striker, umpire and bowler like so many skittles.

The Guardian - Sport

They say that, when the new estate is finally built, they will offer us first refusal, but we would all be scattered by then – and how much of it would be genuinely affordable?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Scattered between the loungers are more hot-tubs.

The Guardian - Travel

The first upload of an existing movie to the internet was reported by the New York Times in 1993, when Wax: Or the Discovery of Television Among the Bees was broadcast to "a small audience scattered among a few dozen computer laboratories".

The Guardian - Film

Bodies are scattered on the streets but no one dares to pick them up.

The Guardian

Thoronka said there were no flights to Sierra Leone immediately after the Games and his team-mates scattered in different directions, staying with family and friends until they could return home.

The Guardian

The villa is located in a large orchard of cherry trees, and the play is scattered with references both to Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard and to Shakespeare's King Lear, two plays which also deal with the loss of power.

The Guardian - Film

Pictures showed shiny luxury cars scattered amid the rubble.

The Guardian

In a wave of postwar optimism, everyone would work together on clusters of desks scattered across undivided floor-plates.

The Guardian - Arts

It takes in scattered sites such as the Kaiser Shipyards and the Ford assembly plant and preserves the legacy not only of the women who entered non-traditional labour for the first time, but of all those who served.

The Guardian - Travel

I don't know what I'd expected of the Atlas, but it wasn't the pretty blossom-strewn villages that scattered the hillsides, the rusty-hued cubist cottages softened by haze, like something from an impressionist painting.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "scattered", ensure the subject and object of the verb align in terms of scale and context. For example, "scattered papers" is more appropriate than "scattered mountains."

Common error

Avoid using "scattered" to describe abstract concepts that cannot be physically distributed. For example, instead of saying "scattered thoughts", consider "disorganized thoughts" or "fragmented ideas".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "scattered" is as an adjective, often describing a state of being distributed randomly or irregularly. Ludwig AI examples showcase its use in describing physical objects or abstract entities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Travel

14%

Lifestyle

12%

Less common in

Sport

8%

Arts

8%

Opinion

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "scattered" functions primarily as an adjective, denoting a state of random or irregular distribution, as highlighted by numerous examples from Ludwig. It maintains a neutral register, appearing frequently in contexts such as News & Media, Travel, and Lifestyle. While generally considered grammatically correct, it's important to avoid misusing "scattered" with abstract concepts. Alternatives like "dispersed", "spread out", and "strewn" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. Overall, Ludwig AI confirms that "scattered" is a versatile and widely accepted term for describing spatial arrangements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dispersed

Indicates a spreading or distribution over a wider area, often suggesting a less concentrated arrangement.

spread out

Emphasizes the act of extending over an area, often implying a deliberate arrangement.

strewn

Suggests a scattering by casting or shaking, often with a slightly random or untidy connotation.

distributed

Implies a systematic or organized arrangement across an area or among a group.

dotted

Suggests small, distinct items placed at intervals over a surface.

littered

Implies a disorderly scattering, often of unwanted items.

broadcast

Emphasizes the act of scattering widely, often used in agricultural or technological contexts.

sprinkled

Suggests a light, even distribution of small particles.

dissipated

Implies a gradual disappearance or fading away through scattering.

diffused

Suggests a spreading out like light or scent, often implying a blending or intermingling.

FAQs

How can I use "scattered" in a sentence?

You can use "scattered" to describe objects or entities that are distributed randomly or irregularly over an area. For example, "The toys were scattered all over the floor."

What are some synonyms for "scattered"?

Alternatives to "scattered" include "dispersed", "spread out", or "strewn", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "scattered data"?

Yes, "scattered data" is a valid phrase, often used in statistics and data analysis to describe data points that are not clustered together but are instead spread across a range of values.

What's the difference between "scattered" and "clustered"?

"Scattered" describes items or entities that are distributed randomly or irregularly, while "clustered" describes items or entities that are grouped together in close proximity.