scattered throughout

USAGE SUMMARY

'scattered throughout' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to items or information being spread in different places or directions. Example: Pieces of paper were scattered throughout the room.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Scattered throughout.

Harvard University

Small holes scattered throughout.

Yale University

Latin colonies were scattered throughout the peninsula.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Hohokam archaeological sites are scattered throughout.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mines are widely scattered throughout the province.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Some vintage pieces are scattered throughout.

The New York Times

Small seminomadic settlements are scattered throughout.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Tissue boxes were scattered throughout the courtroom.

The Guardian

Scattered throughout the center of the market.

The New York Times

Furry beanbag chairs are scattered throughout.

The New York Times

"It's scattered throughout the country," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "scattered throughout", ensure that the subject being described can logically be distributed across the specified area. For example, "stars scattered throughout the sky" makes sense, whereas "ideas scattered throughout the sky" does not.

Common error

Avoid using "scattered throughout" with abstract nouns that cannot be physically distributed. For instance, instead of saying "confusion was scattered throughout the meeting", consider "confusion permeated the meeting" or "there was widespread confusion during the meeting".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scattered throughout" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a non-uniform distribution across a specified area or context. Ludwig examples show its role in describing physical arrangements and abstract distributions alike. Ludwig AI considers it correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scattered throughout" functions as a prepositional phrase to describe a non-uniform distribution, applicable across various contexts from physical arrangements to abstract ideas. As noted by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and versatile. It appears most frequently in News & Media, Academic, and Scientific sources, indicating its suitability for both formal and neutral communication. When writing, be mindful of using it with nouns that can logically be dispersed. For alternative phrasing, consider "dispersed throughout" or "spread throughout" depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dispersed throughout

Emphasizes the act of spreading out from a central point.

spread throughout

Focuses on the extent of coverage or distribution.

strewn throughout

Implies a random or haphazard distribution.

distributed across

Highlights the evenness or intentionality of the spread.

dotted across

Suggests small, distinct items spread across an area.

permeated throughout

Indicates a substance or influence that has spread into every part.

rife throughout

Describes a negative condition or element that is widespread.

permeated across

Indicates a substance or influence that has spread into every part of an area.

interspersed within

Highlights the placement of items at intervals among other things.

broadcast throughout

Indicates the act of trasmitting some information over a geographical area.

FAQs

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

You can use "scattered throughout" to describe items or entities distributed across an area, like "The books were scattered throughout the library" or "Small villages are scattered throughout the countryside".

What are some alternatives to "scattered throughout"?

Alternatives include "dispersed throughout", "spread throughout", or "strewn throughout", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "scattered throughout" formal or informal?

"Scattered throughout" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure than on the phrase itself.

What's the difference between "scattered throughout" and "concentrated in"?

"Scattered throughout" implies a widespread, non-uniform distribution, while "concentrated in" suggests items are gathered in a specific location or area.