strewn all around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "strewn all around" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe objects that are scattered or spread out in various directions in a particular area. Example: "After the party, the decorations were strewn all around the living room, creating a chaotic scene."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

I'll wake up in a kind of stupor, with foil and cellophane strewn all around me.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The cover art for "Thugger Girls" shows him hunched forlornly over a guitar, mannequin parts strewn all around.

The New Yorker

Firefighters pulled Mr. Turner from what was left of his home: the side of a bedroom stuck 20 feet up in a tree, walls gone, and old photos, Christmas decorations and a grandchild's handwritten story strewn all around.

The New York Times

"On the bus to a recent practice, the guys left their gear strewn all around, so I gave them my ultimate punishment: They had to walk up the mountain for their first run.

The New York Times

And, with the buckets of gently chilling sparkling wine from the Champagne region and platters of strawberries the size of tennis balls strewn all around, we are ready to go.

The Guardian - Sport

There was garbage strewn all around.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

For all the boozy bravado, the only things that seemed truly wrecked were the shutter shades strewn around everywhere.

Vice

Candles and flowers lay strewn around, but also little bits of paper with slogans referring to the Harry Potter novels.

The Economist

Contrary to early reports, there were not pills strewn around, but there were pill bottles, including prescription sleeping medications.

Huffington Post

The corpses of prisoners who had succumbed to torture and disease also lay strewn around in the prison.

Huffington Post

The first level then takes place in a laboratory where dozens of dead bodies, all identical to 47, all wearing the same clothes, lie strewn around.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "strewn all around" to vividly depict a scene where items are scattered in a seemingly disordered yet encompassing manner, adding detail and atmosphere to your description.

Common error

While effective in descriptive writing, "strewn all around" might be too informal or evocative for technical or academic contexts. Opt for more neutral terms like "distributed" or "scattered" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "strewn all around" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifically describing how something is distributed or scattered. It provides vivid detail, painting a picture of disarray or randomness. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "strewn all around" is a grammatically correct and common adverbial phrase used to vividly describe a scene where items are scattered widely and seemingly without order. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, it serves to emphasize the extent and manner of dispersal, creating a visual impression of disarray. While "scattered around" offers a more general alternative, "strewn all around" adds a layer of intensity. When writing, remember that while descriptive, using this phrase may not suit the tone of some formal documents.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strewn about

Slightly less emphatic than the original phrase. A shorter version

scattered everywhere

Emphasizes the widespread distribution of items without necessarily implying a messy arrangement.

scattered around

A more general term for items not neatly arranged.

spread all over

Indicates a broad and extensive distribution across a surface or area.

spread around

Indicates a less dense and more even distribution.

littered about

Suggests a negative connotation, implying the presence of unwanted or discarded items.

littered around

Implicates mess and disorderliness

distributed haphazardly

Highlights the lack of order in the arrangement of scattered items.

dispersed randomly

Focuses on the unpredictable nature of the scattering process.

lying scattered

It focuses on how the objects are positioned and their distribution.

FAQs

How can I use "strewn all around" in a sentence?

Use "strewn all around" to describe a scene where items are scattered across an area, emphasizing a lack of order. For example, "After the storm, debris was strewn all around the yard".

What's the difference between "scattered around" and "strewn all around"?

"Scattered around" is a more general term for items distributed in an area, while "strewn all around" implies a more haphazard or disordered distribution. The phrase "scattered around" may also be preferred in more formal writing.

What can I say instead of "strewn all around"?

You can use alternatives like "scattered everywhere", "littered about", or "distributed haphazardly" depending on the context.

Is "strewn around" grammatically correct?

Yes, "strewn around" is grammatically correct, but "strewn all around" intensifies the sense of dispersion. Both phrases are commonly used, but the choice depends on the level of emphasis desired.