strewn around

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

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

Body parts were strewn around.

The New Yorker

They were strewn around his studio.

The New York Times - Arts

Buckets filled with paintbrushes and paints were strewn around.

The New Yorker

Various artifacts from the attic were strewn around the floor.

The New York Times - Books

Dolls and teddy bears are strewn around the room.

The Guardian

Personal items — wallets, cosmetics, children's books — were strewn around.

The New York Times

Obelisks were toppled and pieces of marble headstones were strewn around hundreds of downed trees.

The New York Times

For dessert, there were chewy dried pears strewn around a green mulch of frozen wheatgrass juice.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "strewn around" to vividly describe a scene where items are scattered in a disorderly way, creating a sense of chaos or disarray. For example: "After the parade, confetti was "strewn around" the city streets."

Common error

Avoid using "strewn around" when describing items that are neatly or intentionally placed. The phrase implies a lack of order, so it's unsuitable for organized settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "strewn around" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as a past participle adjective following a form of the verb 'to be' (e.g., 'were', 'was'). It describes the state of objects that have been scattered or spread out in a disorderly manner. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "strewn around" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as a verb phrase to describe items scattered in a disorderly fashion, conveying a sense of chaos or disarray. It's commonly found in News & Media, although suitable for other contexts as well. To avoid misuse, remember that "strewn around" is best for disorganized settings. Alternatives include "scattered around" or "dispersed around" if you want to express a similar meaning with different emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scattered around

Very similar in meaning, but can sometimes imply a less chaotic arrangement.

strewn about

More direct and simple way to express the same idea of scattering items.

scattered about

Implies a less random and more deliberate distribution.

scattered haphazardly

Emphasizes the lack of order in the distribution.

littered about

Suggests a negative connotation, implying untidiness or carelessness.

messily arranged

Highlights the untidy nature of the arrangement.

dispersed around

Indicates a more even and widespread distribution.

spread around

Suggests a deliberate action of distributing items.

distributed about

Implies a more organized and intentional arrangement.

sprinkled around

Suggests a light and scattered distribution, often in small quantities.

FAQs

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

Use "strewn around" to describe items scattered in a disorderly fashion. For example: "Clothes were "strewn around" the teenager's bedroom."

What is a good alternative to "strewn around"?

Alternatives include "scattered around", "littered about", or "dispersed around", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

"Scattered around" generally implies a less chaotic arrangement compared to "strewn around". While both suggest items are not in a neat order, "strewn around" emphasizes a more random and disorderly dispersal.

Is "strewn around" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "strewn around" is appropriate, but be mindful of the context. While generally acceptable, it can sometimes carry a slightly informal tone due to its association with disorder. Consider "scattered about" or "dispersed around" for a more formal tone.