settle over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "settle over" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to describe a feeling of tranquility or calmness coming over someone or something. For example: After a long day of work, a feeling of peace seemed to settle over me.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The dust and sorrowful history of North Carolina settle over everything.

The New York Times - Books

Surgical manipulation of skin may result in undesired puckering of excess tissue, which is generally assumed to settle over time.

Stanford University

Your lunch sits snugly in your stomach causing fog to settle over your brain.

Huffington Post

May peace settle over Beijing.

The New York Times - Sports

But I felt something settle over me.

The New York Times

A pall of dogmatism will settle over the right.

The New York Times

I felt a vast calm settle over me.

The New Yorker

And this latest volcanic cloud is not the first to settle over Europe.

The New York Times

After reproduction, the animals disperse and again settle over their usual range.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But a pall — however slight so far — is beginning to settle over the town's business district.

The New York Times

Gradually, though, a familiar disquiet begins to settle over the novel like dust.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "settle over" to describe a gradual change or a feeling that slowly becomes dominant. For example: "A sense of calm began to settle over her as she meditated."

Common error

Avoid using "settle over" with concrete subjects that cannot experience a gradual change. For example, instead of saying "The book settled over the table", prefer "The book was placed on the table."

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "settle over" functions primarily as an intransitive verb, indicating a process of gradual movement or a change in state. Ludwig's examples show it describing feelings, physical phenomena like dust, and emotional states.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Academia

7%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "settle over" is a versatile and frequently used expression, as Ludwig's examples demonstrate. Grammatically correct and applicable across different contexts, it's particularly common in news and media. It describes a gradual change or a feeling slowly becoming dominant. Alternatives include "descend upon" or "wash over", offering nuances depending on the intended meaning. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity and common usage, reinforcing its reliability in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wash over

Suggests a wave-like motion or feeling.

envelop

Indicates a complete surrounding or covering.

descend upon

Implies a more forceful or sudden arrival.

permeate

Implies a gradual spreading or penetration.

spread across

Describes a gradual expansion across an area.

blanket

Used to describe something covering a surface completely.

fall over

Suggests a movement from a higher to a lower position.

overcome

Describes a feeling or emotion taking control.

cover

A general term for placing something over something else.

befall

Used to describe something happening to someone, often something negative.

FAQs

How can I use "settle over" in a sentence?

You can use "settle over" to describe a gradual change, like "A quiet fell to "settle over" the crowd" or a feeling coming over someone: "A sense of peace began to "settle over" her."

What are some alternatives to "settle over"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "descend upon", "wash over", or "envelop".

Is it correct to say "the dust settled over the furniture"?

Yes, it is correct, because it implies a gradual covering of the furniture by the dust. However you can also consider alternative phrases, such as: "The dust "fell on" the furniture".

What's the difference between "wash over" and "settle over"?

"Wash over" suggests a more intense, wave-like experience or feeling, while ""settle over"" implies a more gradual and gentle transition or presence.