sprinkle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sprinkle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of scattering or distributing small amounts of something, often in cooking or decoration. Example: "To enhance the flavor of the dish, you can sprinkle some salt over the vegetables before roasting them."

✓ Grammatically correct

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Guardian - Tech

The Guardian

The Guardian - Money

The Guardian - Sport

The Guardian - Books

The Guardian - Opinion

The Guardian - Travel

The Economist

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Stir in the basil and sprinkle coriander on top.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Brush with oil all over, and sprinkle generously with za'atar, gently pressing the spices into the top of the buns.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Sprinkle the praline over the watalappan just before serving.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Pop on to a baking tray, brush with a little beaten egg to glaze, and sprinkle lightly with sugar.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It also provides you with world news and facts, which lead me to sprinkle my uncle's phone with fluoride flecks while leaning in to read them.

The Guardian - Tech

"Just clean the wound and sprinkle it on.

The Guardian

Transfer the salad to a large platter, sprinkle over the sesame seeds and green spring onion tops, and serve.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Use Sichuan flower pepper in stews and stir-fries, or dry-roast in a wok and then grind to a fine powder to use as a sprinkle or a magic ingredient in sauces and dressings.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Napoleon apparently took several barrels with him on his exile to St Helena, while Kanye West and P Diddy sprinkle their lyrics with references to it: cognac is one of the world's most enduringly popular tipples and yet the corner of southwest France which produces it is largely overlooked by tourists.

The Guardian - Travel

The president loves to sprinkle his speeches with statistics that reinforce the narrative of an economic recovery.

The Guardian - Money

This season, with the same manager and a squad embellished only by a handful of free transfers, they won 34 more points and came fourth (there is a new chairman, ice cream magnate Andrew Howard, though he is yet to sprinkle the club with his hundreds and thousands).

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing adding a small amount of something to enhance flavor or visual appeal, "sprinkle" is a concise and effective choice.

Common error

Avoid using "sprinkle" in highly formal or technical writing; opt for more precise terms like "disperse" or "apply in small quantities".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "sprinkle" is as a verb, indicating the action of scattering something in small amounts. Ludwig examples show its use in culinary contexts and more abstract senses, like enriching speeches.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Lifestyle

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Sport

5%

Books

5%

Opinion

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "sprinkle" is a versatile verb used to describe the action of scattering something in small amounts. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and lifestyle contexts. While generally neutral in tone, it's best to avoid using "sprinkle" in overly formal contexts where more precise language is preferred. As illustrated by Ludwig, the examples provide a range of applications, from culinary descriptions to figurative language, highlighting its adaptability in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scatter lightly

Adds the adverb "lightly" to emphasize the sparseness of distribution.

besprinkle

A more formal and less common synonym for "sprinkle".

scatter

Implies a more dispersed distribution than "sprinkle".

dust

Suggests a very fine layer of distribution, often with a powder.

powder

Similar to "dust", emphasizes a fine, powdery substance being distributed.

strew

Similar to scatter but can imply a more random arrangement.

apply sparingly

Focuses on using a minimal amount of something.

dot

Focuses on creating small, discrete points of coverage.

drizzle

Specifically used for liquids, implying a fine, sparse flow.

spray

Suggests distribution through a pressurized stream.

FAQs

How to use "sprinkle" in a sentence?

You can use "sprinkle" to describe scattering small amounts of something. For example, "Sprinkle the sugar over the cake."

What can I say instead of "sprinkle"?

You can use alternatives like "scatter", "dust", or "strew" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "sprinkle" or "besprinkle"?

"Sprinkle" is more common and generally preferred. "Besprinkle" is a less frequent, more formal synonym.

What's the difference between "sprinkle" and "drizzle"?

"Sprinkle" can refer to both solids and liquids, while "drizzle" specifically refers to liquids being poured lightly.