shading out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shading out" is not commonly used in written English and may not be widely understood.
It could be used in contexts related to art or design, where it refers to the technique of creating shadows or reducing visibility of certain areas. Example: "The artist used a technique of shading out the background to emphasize the main subject of the painting."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

A thicket of regrowth rapidly develops, with the fastest-growing shrubs and trees quickly shading out opportunistic, light-demanding, low-growing herbaceous plants and becoming festooned with lianas.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Warming temperatures have benefited not only white spruce, the dominant treeline species in northwestern North America, but also woody deciduous shrubs on the tundra, which have begun shading out other plants as they expand their range.

The New York Times

This tropical hardwood hammock has remained remarkably free of destructive exotics, like Brazilian pepper, a shrub that grows so densely it crowds out all other vegetation, and Colubrina asiatica, a vine that covers the canopy, shading out all plants beneath it.

The New York Times - Science

Chinese tallow, which has become a problem on the southeastern coastal plain over the last 30 years, grows quickly, is resilient to pests, and can reach a height of 10 meters, shading out native plants.

Science Magazine

Recovery time will depend on shading out and die back of vegetation in the channel caused by the next rotation of trees, decomposition of woody debris and the capacity of the streams to flush sediment from the system.

New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science

However, 3 of 13 harvesters interviewed individually reported that there was decreased leaf availability due to the invasive plant Lantana camara L. shading out palms (in the Sathyamangalam region of Tamil Nadu) and from increased elephant herbivory (in the Sigur region of Tamil Nadu).

Ecological Processes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

"Jackson Bird shaded out Nathan Coulter-Nile for the final bowling position and each of these bowlers is showing encouraging form".

The Guardian - Sport

The rows run east to west, so that as the sunflowers grew, they didn't shade out shorter sun-loving plants.

The New York Times

Now, though the trees and shrubs have shaded out most of the grasses, a few remain on the sunny edge of the grove.

The New York Times - Style

Quite fast growing, it may eventually reach 10m, but its upright habit and airy canopy mean it doesn't shade out its neighbours.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The loss of traditional grazing in many areas has seen these flowers shaded out by scrub – clearing this, and controlling bracken growth, is required for both the violets and the butterfly.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing plant competition, use "shading out" to vividly illustrate how taller plants deprive smaller ones of sunlight, impacting their growth and survival.

Common error

Avoid using "shading out" when the context isn't directly related to light or competition for light. For example, don't say "the new regulations are shading out small businesses" when you mean hindering or suppressing them.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shading out" functions as a phrasal verb, specifically a transitive one when used in sentences like "trees shading out the native grasses." Ludwig provides examples that show its function, mainly related to blocking light and impacting growth, particularly in ecological contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shading out" is a phrasal verb that describes the action of blocking light and its consequences, particularly in ecological contexts. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct, though not extremely common. The term is mostly found in science, news and media, and encyclopedias, indicating a neutral to formal register. To ensure correct usage, apply it when describing direct or metaphorical competition for light or dominance. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase may not be widely understood, so it's important to consider the audience when using it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overshadowing

Focuses on the effect of casting a shadow, similar to reducing light but more general.

casting a shadow

Describes the act of creating a shadow, directly related to reducing light.

blocking light

Directly addresses the action of preventing light from reaching something.

eclipsing

Suggests something becoming more prominent and making something else less significant.

outcompeting

Emphasizes the aspect of surpassing or defeating others in a competitive environment, not necessarily light-related.

obscuring

Highlights the effect of making something unclear or less visible, broadening beyond just light.

suppressing

Focuses on the act of preventing growth or activity, which aligns with the consequences of light reduction.

dominating

Implies a position of power or control, where something suppresses others but not exclusively through light.

screening

Highlights the act of sheltering or protecting by intercepting light or view.

concealing

Focuses on hiding something from view, implying a complete obstruction rather than partial shading.

FAQs

What does "shading out" mean in the context of plant ecology?

In plant ecology, "shading out" refers to the process where taller or denser plants block sunlight from reaching smaller plants, inhibiting their growth and potentially leading to their demise.

How does /s/overshadowing differ from "shading out"?

Overshadowing can be used in broader contexts to mean surpassing in importance or fame, whereas "shading out" specifically relates to the literal or figurative blocking of light and resources in a competitive environment, especially among plants.

What are some consequences of invasive species "shading out" native plants?

When invasive species "shade out" native plants, it can lead to a reduction in biodiversity, altered ecosystem dynamics, and potential loss of habitat for animals that depend on the native flora.

In what other scenarios, besides ecology, can the term "shading out" be used?

While primarily used in ecology, "shading out" can be used metaphorically to describe situations where one thing obscures or diminishes another, such as a new technology "eclipsing" older methods, or a major event overshadowing smaller achievements.