swaths of forest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "swaths of forest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe large areas or expanses of forested land, often in discussions about nature, conservation, or environmental issues. Example: "The logging industry has significantly reduced the swaths of forest that once covered the region, leading to habitat loss for many species."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

In the jungle, Sav Samourn can only watch as swaths of forest are replaced by factories.

The New York Times

Large swaths of forest in Colorado, Idaho and Wyoming have been felled by the bug.

The New York Times - Science

To extract the gold, chainsaw crews level and burn huge swaths of forest.

The Guardian

According to reports, labourers are illegally cutting down swaths of forest in the area used by the families.

The Guardian

Still, for every stretch of protected area there are many even larger swaths of forest set aside for logging.

The New York Times - Science

That could leave out swaths of forest that have already been degraded in some way, for instance by partial deforestation.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

The study noted that large swaths of forests in the South and Pacific Northwest are being cleared as cities expand.

The New York Times

Officials say the acreage consumed is well short of that in 1988, when much of Yellowstone National Park and huge swaths of forests in Oregon and Montana burned during a prolonged drought.

The New York Times

Summer wildfires are once again blazing across southern Europe, forcing the evacuation of 12,000 people on France's Mediterranean cost and devouring swaths of forests as far afield as Corsica, Portugal, Italy and Albania.

The Guardian

The Borneo malaria study is the latest piece of a growing body of scientific evidence showing how cutting down large swaths of forests is a major factor in a serious human health problem — the outbreak of some of the world's most serious infectious diseases that emerge from wildlife and insects in forests.

Yale University

Even so, high winds uprooted trees in wide swaths of forests, with those not completely defoliated.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the impact of deforestation or natural disasters, use "swaths of forest" to emphasize the significant area affected. For example, "Wildfires destroyed vast "swaths of forest", impacting local ecosystems."

Common error

Avoid using "swaths of forest" when describing small, localized areas. The phrase implies a significant and widespread area, so it's not appropriate for describing a small patch of trees in an urban setting.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "swaths of forest" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a significant area of forested land, often in the context of environmental issues or natural resources, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "swaths of forest" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to depict large forested areas, often within environmental or conservation-related contexts. According to Ludwig, it commonly appears in news media, academic works, and scientific publications. It is considered appropriate for both formal and informal writing. When using this phrase, it is important to ensure the context involves a sizable area of forest. Alternative phrases like "expanses of forest" or "tracts of forest" can also be employed depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expanses of forest

Replaces "swaths" with "expanses", focusing on the broad area covered by the forest.

tracts of forest

Substitutes "swaths" with "tracts", emphasizing defined areas of forest.

areas of woodland

Uses "woodland" instead of "forest", changing the type of wooded area specified.

regions of forest

Replaces "swaths" with "regions", suggesting a geographical area of forest.

forest expanses

Inverts the phrase structure, keeping the same meaning but altering word order.

large forested areas

Rephrases the concept using an adjective and noun structure.

wide stretches of forest

Uses "wide stretches" to indicate the extent of the forest area.

extensive forest lands

Replaces "swaths" with "extensive" and uses "lands" to broaden the concept.

vast areas of woodland

Combines "vast areas" to describe the extent with "woodland".

forest clearings

Indicates areas where forest has been removed, contrasting with the original phrase.

FAQs

How can I use "swaths of forest" in a sentence?

You can use "swaths of forest" to describe large areas of forested land, especially when discussing deforestation, conservation, or the impact of natural disasters. For example: "The logging industry decimated large "swaths of forest" in the Amazon."

What are some alternatives to "swaths of forest"?

Alternatives include "expanses of forest", "tracts of forest", or "large forested areas". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "swaths of forest" or "areas of forest"?

"Swaths of forest" implies a more extensive and continuous area compared to "areas of forest", which can refer to smaller, more fragmented sections. Use "swaths of forest" when you want to emphasize the size and continuity of the forested region.

What impact does deforestation have on "swaths of forest"?

Deforestation significantly reduces the "swaths of forest", leading to habitat loss, soil erosion, and climate change. Protecting "forest ecosystems" is crucial for maintaining biodiversity and environmental stability.