scattered text

USAGE SUMMARY

"scattered text" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to text that has been broken up into smaller sections or scattered throughout a page or document. For example, "The page was full of scattered text that made it difficult to read."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Information scientists say his 1988 discovery is a perfect example of the unexpected connections that can reveal themselves among scattered text fragments -- revelations that may surface even more quickly with the help of powerful software scanning thousands of pages an hour.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Thereafter, scattered texts allow us to infer something about what happened on the Eurasian Steppe, although steppe peoples themselves did not begin to keep records in writing until about 2,300 years later.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Of the large number and scattered texts that regulate the service of dispensing pharmaceuticals, the pharmacist often has difficulty in understanding the scope and limits of its responsibilities in a dispensation.

Médecine & Droit

There are, of course, clues scattered throughout the text, Nabokov-style.

The New Yorker

Scattered throughout are text blocks on historical sidelights and practical advice such as car-rental tips and what a first-aid kit should include.

The New York Times - Travel

Some of these are helpful, but many simply detract from the book's seriousness, like the dozen or so references to global warming scattered through the text.

The New York Times - Books

Sebald's fiction is an innovative hybrid of memoir, travelogue and history, its text scattered with grainy, black-and-white photographs without captions which lend an unsettling feel of documentary.

The Guardian - Books

At times the narrative features a few too many dictionary definitions and self-indulgent, associative bits of wordplay, while at other moments drawings and photographs are unnecessarily scattered through the text.

The New York Times - Books

Under the malign influence of Lord Henry – "the only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it", is one of many Wildean epigrams scattered through the text – Dorian Gray plunges into a decadent and sinister milieu, becoming a slave to drugs and debauchery.

The Guardian - Books

The predominant spirit of "Kafka Americana" is intellectual gamesmanship, and the book demonstrates a persistent affection for the tricks of postmodernism: endings that fall apart or break from the logic of the story, quotations that are scattered within the text from obscure sources and an interest in form over character.

The New York Times - Books

These italicized interviews are scattered throughout the text, and they are occasionally illuminating, as in the passages that concern Young's devotion to his children, two of whom are disabled, to differing degrees of severity: "My life with my children has been quite an experience for me.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "scattered text", ensure the context clarifies whether the scattering is intentional (e.g., for artistic effect) or unintentional (e.g., due to poor organization).

Common error

Avoid assuming that "scattered text" always indicates poor writing. It can be a deliberate stylistic choice, especially in experimental or postmodern literature.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scattered text" functions primarily as a descriptive noun phrase. It's used to characterize text that lacks cohesion, order, or is distributed in a non-uniform manner. Ludwig examples show its use in diverse fields like technology, literature and science.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scattered text" is a descriptive phrase used to characterize text that is disorganized or distributed in a non-uniform way. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. While the term often carries a negative connotation, implying a lack of cohesion, it can also be used to describe a deliberate stylistic choice in certain artistic contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to consider the intended meaning and ensure the context clarifies whether the scattering is intentional or unintentional. Alternatives such as "fragmented writing" or "disjointed prose" may be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fragmented writing

Focuses on the broken or incomplete nature of the text.

disjointed prose

Emphasizes the lack of connection or flow in the writing.

non-cohesive text

Highlights the absence of a unified structure or theme.

sparse content

Implies that the text is thin or lacking in substance.

random excerpts

Suggests a collection of unrelated pieces of text.

unconnected passages

Focuses on the isolation of different sections of text.

diffuse writing

Highlights the wide distribution and lack of focus in the text.

isolated sentences

Stresses that the text is made up of individual sentences.

unstructured text

Highlights the lack of a clear organization in the text.

jumbled wording

Emphasizes the disordered and confusing nature of the text.

FAQs

How can I use "scattered text" in a sentence?

You can use "scattered text" to describe text that is not organized or is presented in a fragmented way. For example, "The document was difficult to understand because it contained "scattered text" from various sources".

What's the difference between "scattered text" and "fragmented text"?

"Scattered text" implies a wider distribution or lack of order, while "fragmented text" focuses more on the incompleteness or broken nature of the text. "Scattered text" could be complete sentences placed randomly, whereas fragmented text might be incomplete sentences or phrases.

What can I say instead of "scattered text"?

Depending on the specific context, you could use alternatives like "disjointed prose", "fragmented writing", or "unstructured text".

Is "scattered text" always negative?

No, "scattered text" isn't always negative. In some artistic or experimental contexts, it can be a deliberate stylistic choice. However, in academic or professional writing, it's generally seen as undesirable unless used intentionally for a specific effect.