scattering of leaves

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scattering of leaves" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of leaves being dispersed or spread out, often in a natural setting or during a specific event like autumn. Example: "The gentle breeze caused a beautiful scattering of leaves across the park, creating a colorful carpet on the ground."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Arts

Lifestyle

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Each body was then partly buried, usually with a scattering of leaves or a fascia of branches.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Drizzle with a little more oil, and finish it off with a scattering of coriander leaves.

Independent

Underfoot meanwhile is a scattering of oak leaves, actually made of paraffin-coated crepe paper, by Martin Boyce.

The New York Times - Arts

A finishing touch on a dish in a restaurant is often a scattering of tiny leaves, or microgreens, packing intense flavor.

The New York Times

The antipasti include standbys like fritto misto, arancini, and vitello tonnato, which Mr. Valenti freshens with a scattering of celery leaves, and an ingenious appetizer of roasted oysters with tomato zabaglione and flakes of crisp prosciutto.

The New York Times - Arts

3 Transfer the strawberries to a plate, then dot about the whipped feta, drizzle over the balsamic and finish with a scattering of mint leaves and a few twists of black pepper.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

That seemed particularly true, he said, of the 1960 Frontenac, a reworked Ford Falcon with a bizarre grille: it featured a circular bull's-eye, two chrome spears and lozenge-shaped sections with, of course, an ample scattering of maple leaves.

The New York Times

It is a bready Alcatraz incarcerating one slim slice of cheddar that has briefly been dabbed with "seasoned mayo" (presumably seasoned with air, for all the flavour it adds) and a "mixed-leaf salad" whose sparse scattering of shrivelled leaves looks more like some foliage has blown in through the window during prep than a deliberate garnish.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Models of rectitude and conventionality turned out to scorn religious observance, to the point that even their funerals were held in the wild, a scattering of ashes leaving no trace.

The New Yorker

There are no flowers, none of the candles and palm crosses that adorn some other headstones, only a scattering of curled, brown leaves.

The Guardian - Books

A choir made up of about 50 Korean students placed folding chairs down in the peace garden amid a scattering of red maple leaves.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "scattering of leaves" to vividly describe autumn scenes or decorative arrangements in writing. The phrase evokes a sense of natural beauty and tranquility.

Common error

Avoid using "scattering of leaves" as a sole replacement for "falling leaves" in contexts where the active process of leaves descending is the primary focus. "Scattering of leaves" is more appropriate when emphasizing the distribution or arrangement of leaves on a surface.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scattering of leaves" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a visual scene or condition, as seen in the Ludwig examples, where leaves are dispersed across a surface.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Lifestyle

15%

Arts

12%

Less common in

Science

10%

Books

8%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "scattering of leaves" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase that evokes a vivid image of leaves dispersed across a surface. Ludwig examples show its prevalence in describing autumn scenes or decorative arrangements. As stated by Ludwig AI, this phrase is suitable for various contexts and carries a neutral tone. While alternatives like "leaf fall" or "leaf litter" exist, "scattering of leaves" uniquely emphasizes the spatial arrangement, making it a valuable choice for descriptive writing. This phrase is very frequent in News & Media contexts. Ludwig offers many other options.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leaf scattering

Inverts the original phrase, changing the emphasis slightly.

leaf dispersal

Focuses on the process of leaves spreading out.

fall of leaves

Emphasizes the act of leaves falling from trees.

leaf litter

Refers to the accumulation of fallen leaves on the ground.

leaves strewn

Highlights the act of leaves being scattered across a surface.

leaves spread

Focuses on the distribution of leaves across an area.

leaves sprinkled

Emphasizes a light and sparse distribution of leaves.

assortment of leaves

Highlights the variety and arrangement of leaves.

cascade of leaves

Implies a flowing, abundant descent of leaves.

pile of leaves

Describes a heap or mound of leaves.

FAQs

How can I use "scattering of leaves" in a sentence?

You can use "scattering of leaves" to describe a visual scene, such as "The wind created a beautiful scattering of leaves across the garden" or "The forest floor was covered in a scattering of leaves."

What is a good alternative to "scattering of leaves"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "scattering of leaves" could include "leaf fall", "leaf litter", or "leaves strewn".

What does "scattering of leaves" emphasize?

"Scattering of leaves" emphasizes the distribution or arrangement of leaves after they have fallen, rather than the act of falling itself. It suggests a scene where leaves are spread out across a surface.

Is "scattering of leaves" formal or informal?

"Scattering of leaves" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and tone of the writing.