scraps of refuse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scraps of refuse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe small pieces or remnants of waste or discarded materials. Example: "After the storm, the streets were littered with scraps of refuse, making the cleanup a daunting task."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

But today Irbid seemed mori bund, with most shops shut tered by anxious owners and the chilly wind blowing scraps of refuse in the streets.

The New York Times

Everything looks as it sometimes does in the movies, including the large tree that looms over her like a sheltering hand, the soft light that spills around her and even the scraps of refuse fluttering on wire fencing before her.

The New York Times

In those bleak days of 1944, Hannah semaphores encouragement to other prisoners from the window of her cell, whiles away the hours by crafting little dolls from scraps of refuse and at times intrepidly faces down her captors.

The New York Times

Loosened by a week of monsoon rains, the huge garbage mountain here -- the symbol of the nation's poverty -- had collapsed and smothered hundreds of squatters who made their livings picking through it with metal hooks for scraps of refuse.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Your correspondent, a scrap of wretched refuse from the shores of India, became a citizen of the United States last month, alongside 1,500 other new citizens at a ceremony in San Francisco.

The Economist

Garbage contains highly decomposable food waste (e.g., kitchen scraps), while rubbish is the dry, nonputrescible component of refuse.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Devoted to the reuse of refuse, the 40-something sculptor uses cast-off scraps from Detroit's past to create creatures that conjure up the future.

HuffPost

Mr. Kim, apparently responding to Mr. Kelly's rejection of the North's proposal to sign a nonaggression pact before it admits nuclear inspectors and scraps its nuclear program, accused the United States of refusing to abandon its hostile policy toward his country.

The New York Times

Although both the city and the scrap dealers refused to disclose financial details of their contract, William Heenan, president of the Steel Recycling Institute in Pittsburgh, said the steel scrap could be worth roughly $80 to $100 a ton when sold to a steelmaker.

The New York Times

We're watching people refusing to give up in the face of adversity, determined to wring every last scrap of joy from life while they still can.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Dinamo Zagreb has been awarded a 3-0 win over Hajduk Split after Croatia's biggest soccer derby was scrapped when Hajduk refused to play because some of its fans were banned from a Zagreb stadium.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a scene, use "scraps of refuse" to vividly depict poverty, neglect, or aftermath of an event.

Common error

Avoid using "scraps of refuse" in formal or professional writing; opt for more neutral terms like "waste materials" or "discarded items" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scraps of refuse" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It identifies and describes small pieces of discarded or waste materials. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and readily understood.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Encyclopedias

23%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scraps of refuse" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe small amounts of discarded waste. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for use in written English. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts, serving a descriptive purpose and carrying a neutral tone. While not frequently used (rated as 'Rare'), it provides a vivid way to depict scenes involving waste or decay. For formal settings, consider alternative phrases like "waste materials" or "discarded items".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

refuse fragments

Reverses the order while keeping similar terminology.

discarded scraps

Highlights the action of discarding the scraps.

remnants of waste

Focuses on the leftover or remaining portion of waste.

waste remnants

Focuses on the remnants or residues of waste material.

fragments of garbage

Emphasizes the broken or incomplete nature of the garbage.

bits of trash

Uses more informal terms to describe the waste.

litter debris

Combines the concept of litter with the broader term of debris.

unwanted litter

Highlights the unwanted nature of the discarded items.

junk debris

Uses a more colloquial term for waste.

odds and ends of trash

Captures the miscellaneous nature of the discarded items.

FAQs

How can I use "scraps of refuse" in a sentence?

You can use "scraps of refuse" to describe discarded materials or waste, such as "The alleyway was filled with "scraps of refuse" after the market closed."

What are some alternatives to "scraps of refuse"?

Alternatives include "waste remnants", "discarded scraps", or "bits of trash", depending on the context and level of formality.

Is "scraps of refuse" a formal or informal phrase?

"Scraps of refuse" leans towards a neutral to slightly informal register. In formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "waste materials" or "discarded items".

What's the difference between "scraps of refuse" and "litter"?

"Litter" generally refers to carelessly discarded waste in public places. "Scraps of refuse" is a broader term that can include any discarded materials, whether properly disposed of or not. So, "scraps of refuse" might be present in a garbage can or strewn as litter.