strewn about

USAGE SUMMARY

"strewn about" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiom which means to be dispersed or distributed in a disorganized way. For example: "The toys were strewn about the entire room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Chairs were strewn about, facing various directions.

The New York Times - Sports

No books strewn about, no clothes on the floor.

The New Yorker

Five Conover girls were strewn about, peeled down to slips.

The New Yorker

Clothes were strewn about, along with science-fiction and fantasy novels.

The New Yorker

A mass of material lay strewn about, looking somewhat less grandiose than the term antiquities implies.

The New York Times

There were plastic corpses strewn about, as well as live actors wearing fake blood.

The Guardian

Anzaldo said there was no alcohol in her residence, nor were there pills strewn about.  .

Los Angeles Times

A bedroom had been ransacked and several jewelry boxes were opened and strewn about, leaving pieces all over the floor.

Los Angeles Times

Drawers open, clothing strewn about.

The New York Times

Garbage is strewn about.

The New York Times

Abandoned mining equipment lies strewn about.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "strewn about" to vividly describe a scene where items are scattered in a disorganized or random manner. It adds a sense of disorder or abandonment to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "strewn about" when you mean items are neatly arranged or intentionally placed. The phrase inherently implies disorder and randomness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "strewn about" functions as a compound adjective, modifying a noun to describe something scattered or dispersed in a disorderly manner. Ludwig provides numerous examples where it enhances descriptive writing by vividly portraying scenes of disarray.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "strewn about" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adjective phrase that vividly describes items scattered in a disorganized manner. According to Ludwig, it's primarily used in news and media contexts, though also found across diverse sources. While it is suitable for a neutral register, writers should be mindful of its inherent connotation of disorder. Related phrases like "scattered around" can provide similar imagery, while more formal situations may call for alternatives like "dispersed". Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and widespread usability, emphasizing its role in descriptive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strewn around

A slightly less formal variant maintaining the core meaning of scattering without order.

scattered around

Focuses on the act of scattering, emphasizing the dispersal of items in a less organized way.

littered around

Implies a messier and more negative connotation, suggesting unwanted items are scattered.

spread around

Suggests a broader, less concentrated scattering over a larger area.

scattered hither and thither

More formal and literary, emphasizes random scattering in various directions.

dispersed throughout

Emphasizes even distribution across an area, often implying intentional scattering.

sprinkled around

Implies a light scattering, as if something has been sprinkled like spices.

dotted around

Suggests small items are scattered sparsely across a space.

broadcast around

Conveys scattering something widely, like seeds or information.

bespattered around

Suggests something has been splattered or scattered messily, often liquids or small particles.

FAQs

How can I use "strewn about" in a sentence?

Use "strewn about" to describe a scene where items are scattered in a disorderly manner. For example, "Clothes were "strewn about" the room" or "Debris was "strewn about" the street after the storm".

What's a more formal alternative to "strewn about"?

While "strewn about" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives include "scattered" or "dispersed". For instance, instead of "Papers were "strewn about" the desk", you could say "Papers were scattered on the desk".

What does "strewn about" imply about the scene?

"Strewn about" suggests a lack of order or intentional arrangement. It often conveys a sense of messiness or abandonment. In contrast, items that are arranged or organized are not described as being "strewn about".

Is it correct to say "strewn around" instead of "strewn about"?

Yes, "strewn around" is a similar and often interchangeable alternative to "strewn about". Both phrases convey the idea of items being scattered in a disordered way. The choice between them often depends on personal preference or stylistic considerations. You can see real world usage of "strewn around" to decide.