to be interspersed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be interspersed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that is scattered or distributed among other elements or items. Example: "The flowers were to be interspersed among the greenery to create a vibrant garden."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

It is unusual for people posing fraudulently as audience members to be interspersed amid the general public in such commercials, Mr. Boneau said, but it does happen.

The New York Times

Their words of wisdom were to be "interspersed with musical selections", a framing that suggests it was the reverends' words that mattered most.

The Guardian - Opinion

Naturally, their appreciation of history and culture needed to be interspersed with activities such as timed runs up the stairs of Notre Dame, teasing of street mimes by my son and a two-hour stint in the boutiques of the Marais for my daughter.

The New York Times - Travel

The cloned sequence was 1550 bp long and appeared to be interspersed throughout the genome.

Mycological Research

These areas tend to be interspersed within other urban settings with a visibly better standard of living (De Souza 2010).

Crime Science

For instance, body-selective neural populations which are known to be interspersed with face-selective neural populations [53], [54] may also mediate effects of category, configuration and object orientation on figure-ground processing.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Area shots can be interspersed to give videos a better sense of place.

WikiHow

Six residencies will be interspersed with virtual-based learning.

Huffington Post

Scenes showing Eli and his deputies taking Hans out to sea and beating him to death are interspersed with the assassination of Colosimo in his Chicago restaurant.

Wikipedia

Indeed, switches from one level to another were interspersed among long epochs subject to the illusion, and the actually produced IOIs therefore covered an even wider range than did the switch IOIs.

Plosone

Tunics and shifts that wittily referred to Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas were interspersed in a parade of military ponchos, capes, gauchos and Navy berets.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to be interspersed", ensure the elements being distributed add value or context to the overall subject. The interspersion should be purposeful and not merely decorative.

Common error

Avoid using "to be interspersed" simply to sound sophisticated. Ensure that the elements being interspersed genuinely contribute to the understanding or aesthetic of the subject, rather than being a redundant addition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be interspersed" primarily functions as part of an infinitive phrase, often used within a passive construction. As Ludwig AI shows, this phrase indicates that certain elements are distributed or scattered among others within a given context. It specifies the action that will be performed on the subject.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be interspersed" is a grammatically sound and commonly used infinitive phrase to describe the distribution or scattering of elements among others. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and applicability across different contexts. Predominantly found in scientific and news media, it serves to clearly convey how items are arranged within a larger context. Alternatives like "to be scattered among" or "to be mixed in" offer similar meanings with slight nuances. When using the phrase, ensure that the elements being interspersed add value to the overall composition, avoiding overuse for mere embellishment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be scattered among

Focuses on a less structured and more random distribution.

to be distributed throughout

Emphasizes evenness of distribution across an area or set.

to be mixed in

Highlights the action of combining different elements.

to be included within

Focuses on the act of being contained or encompassed by something.

to be dotted around

Suggests a sparse distribution, like dots on a surface.

to be diffused within

Implies a gradual and thorough spreading throughout.

to be interwoven with

Suggests a close and intricate combination, like threads in a fabric.

to be peppered with

Emphasizes small, noticeable elements spread throughout.

to be sprinkled across

Suggests a light and uneven distribution.

to be spotted among

Highlights distinct elements irregularly distributed.

FAQs

How can I use "to be interspersed" in a sentence?

Use "to be interspersed" when describing elements that are scattered or distributed among other elements. For example, "The images were "to be interspersed" throughout the text to provide visual context.

What's the difference between "to be interspersed" and "to be scattered"?

"To be interspersed" suggests a more intentional or structured distribution, whereas "to be scattered" implies a more random or haphazard arrangement. Consider using "to be scattered" when randomness is key, and "to be interspersed" when there's a sense of order or purpose.

What can I say instead of "to be interspersed"?

You can use alternatives like "to be scattered among", "to be mixed in", or "to be distributed throughout" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "to be interspersed with" or "to be interspersed among"?

Both "to be interspersed with" and "to be interspersed among" are grammatically correct, but "to be interspersed with" is generally more common. "With" suggests a closer association between the elements, while "among" implies a distribution within a larger group.