strewn among

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "strewn among" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe items that are scattered or spread out in a particular area or among other things. Example: "The leaves were strewn among the rocks, creating a beautiful contrast of colors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Mangled bus stops lay strewn among the detritus.

The Guardian

Mangled bodies were strewn among the stones; he recognized a fellow tribesman.

The New York Times - Magazine

But it also included money strewn among press commentators and members of opposition parties.

The Economist

Inside, garments destined for European and American customers lay strewn among crushed bodies.

The Economist

Christmas presents were strewn among the wreckage of the minivan on Interstate 280 in Toledo, Ohio, near Interstate 75.

The New York Times

And while a token slice of pineapple was strewn among the menus, jalapenos and blue cheese appear almost compulsory.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Remnants of those gardens are still strewn about, among them a little grove of marble columns with a fountain behind Ms. Bellanca's house that "when I saw them kind of did it for me".

The New York Times

But I heard behind-the-scenes tales that the path to that final vote for some awards has been strewn with fights among clinicians, basic scientists and others involved in the process.

The New York Times - Health

A few blocks away a young woman named Teresa stands in her tiny, dirt-packed front yard and passes judgment on the store's fees: "Way too much," she says in Spanish, as some of her seven children scamper barefoot among strewn toys and a battered van propped up on jacks.

Forbes

Evidence charts from a murder investigation are among files strewn across a shuttered police station.

The New York Times - Arts

Odd objects and figures were strewn about the room, among them a chest with legs made of chocolate and an "aphrodisiac vampire" with a tiger's head.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "strewn among" to vividly depict objects or elements scattered across a surface or area. It is effective in creating a sense of disorder or abundance within a specific context.

Common error

Avoid using "strewn among" with abstract concepts that cannot be physically scattered. For example, it's more appropriate to say "challenges arose among the team members" rather than "challenges were strewn among the team members".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "strewn among" is to act as a verb phrase describing the manner in which objects are distributed or scattered. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It functions adjectivally, modifying a noun by indicating its state of being scattered.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Arts

20%

Sports

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "strewn among" is a versatile and grammatically correct expression used to describe items that are scattered or distributed within a specific area or group. As Ludwig AI states, it is correct and usable in written English. With a high frequency of use, particularly in news and media contexts, "strewn among" effectively conveys a sense of disorder or abundance. While synonyms like "scattered amidst" and "dispersed among" offer similar meanings, "strewn among" often implies a more random and less controlled distribution. Remember to avoid using it with abstract nouns for clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spread amongst

Similar meaning, but uses "amongst" which can be considered more formal or archaic.

scattered amidst

Emphasizes randomness and lack of order in the distribution, altering the focus slightly from the verb "strewn".

dispersed among

Similar to scattered, but can also suggest a wider or more thorough spreading.

distributed within

Implies a more organized or intentional arrangement compared to "strewn".

interspersed within

Highlights the alternating placement of items within something else.

mingled amongst

Suggests a blending or mixing of elements as they are scattered.

littered throughout

Conveys a negative connotation, suggesting unwanted or messy scattering.

dotted around

Suggests small, distinct placements rather than a general scattering. It is less formal.

peppered throughout

Implies a light scattering, like pepper on food, and is more often used figuratively.

broadcast amid

Emphasizes wide and uncontrolled distribution like seeds being sown.

FAQs

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

You can use "strewn among" to describe items that are scattered or spread out within a particular area or group. For instance, "The toys were "scattered among" the furniture" or "Debris was "littered throughout" the wreckage".

What are some alternatives to "strewn among"?

Some alternatives include phrases like "scattered amidst", "distributed within", or "dispersed among", each offering a slightly different nuance in meaning.

Is there a negative connotation associated with "strewn among"?

While "strewn among" doesn't inherently carry a negative connotation, it often implies a lack of order or tidiness. In contexts where the scattering is unwanted or messy, alternatives like ""littered throughout"" might be more fitting.

How does "strewn among" differ from "scattered among"?

"Strewn among" and ""scattered among"" are quite similar, but "strewn" often suggests a more random and less controlled distribution than "scattered". "Strewn" can also evoke a slightly stronger image of things being carelessly spread.