scattered within

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scattered within" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is distributed or spread out among a particular area or context. Example: "The documents were scattered within the archives, making them difficult to locate."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In "Many a Slip," dozens of small flickering projections were scattered within a plethora of objects.

The New Yorker

But the troops scattered within a few minutes after being bombarded with stones.

The Economist

What concerned Mr. Jerry, and other environmentalists, was development of privately held tracts scattered within and around the public lands.

The New York Times

In primitive fishes the cells responsible for secreting the pancreatic hormones are scattered within the wall of the intestine.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Avadāna designates both the class of such stories scattered within the Vinaya Piṭaka ("Basket of Discipline") and separate collections based upon them.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For scattered within the vocabulary of this 54-word drama are 11 uses of the three most complex verbs in the English language: "set," "put" and "run".

The New York Times

Likely sources of silica found scattered within shallow-water shelf carbonates include siliceous sponge spicules, radiolarians or diatom shells, and windblown sand grains.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Forest Service estimates that some 40 million Americans live in what it calls the "urban/wildland interface," directly adjacent to or scattered within unpopulated areas with wild land vegetation.

The New York Times

Qin failed several times to enter the eastern bloc of powers and had to limit its activities to conquering, absorbing, and incorporating the non-Chinese tribes and states scattered within and west of the big loop of the Huang He.

Encyclopedia Britannica

To compound the problem, the two hundred and fifty or so attendees were somewhat scattered within the immensity of the ballroom, making the contagion of any laughter hard to spread.

The New Yorker

Nevertheless, some nanoparticles can be still scattered within the matrix.

Composites Part B: Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "scattered within", ensure the context clearly defines the boundaries or area in which the scattering occurs. For instance, specify "scattered within the forest" or "scattered within the data set".

Common error

Avoid using "scattered within" without a clear reference point. Saying "elements are scattered" lacks precision; instead, clarify where they are scattered, such as "elements are scattered within the matrix."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scattered within" functions as a prepositional phrase, often modifying a noun or noun phrase to describe the spatial distribution of elements. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating this function across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scattered within" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to describe the distribution of items inside a defined space. As Ludwig highlights, it is commonly found in scientific, news, and encyclopedic content, indicating a neutral to formal register. Alternatives such as "distributed throughout" or "dispersed throughout" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. The phrase is grammatically sound, and Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status in written English. Remember to clearly define the boundaries or area when using "scattered within" for maximum clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distributed throughout

Emphasizes a more even spread across the entire area.

dispersed throughout

Highlights the act of spreading something out, often implying a wider area.

spread across

Suggests a less uniform distribution, more like a layering effect.

located inside

Focuses on the position of items being within something else.

situated within

Implies a deliberate placement or arrangement within the confines of something.

present in

Highlights the existence of something inside a specific area or thing.

peppered throughout

Suggests a random and sparse distribution.

interspersed within

Implies items are placed at intervals among or between other things.

embedded in

Highlights that items are firmly fixed in something.

strewn within

Suggests a scattered or disordered manner of placement.

FAQs

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

Use "scattered within" to describe elements distributed throughout a defined space or context. For example, "The stars were scattered within the night sky" or "Errors were scattered within the document".

What are some alternatives to "scattered within"?

Alternatives include "distributed throughout", "dispersed throughout", or "spread across", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "scattered in" instead of "scattered within"?

While "scattered in" might be understandable, "scattered within" is generally more precise, especially when specifying a container or boundary. "Scattered in" is less specific and may not clearly define the area of distribution.

What's the difference between "scattered within" and "scattered around"?

"Scattered within" implies a distribution inside a defined area or boundary. In contrast, "scattered around" suggests a more general, less confined distribution in the vicinity of something.