to envelop

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to envelop" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to covering something completely, either physically or metaphorically. For example, "The fog enveloped the town, obscuring the streetlights".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hood's depression began to envelop her.

The Guardian

and to envelop meat and vegetables...

The New York Times - Books

"A surface wrapping the inside, it's meant to envelop you.

The New York Times

It is a dilemma set to envelop Britain.

The Guardian - Opinion

I wanted to create a mental space, to envelop everything".

The New York Times

"Fire's starting to envelop the room," he said.

The New York Times

Now, the "Good Times" extend to envelop even Saddam's time.

The New York Times

JT was going to envelop FC in a big H.

The Guardian - Opinion

As the play progresses, mystery continues to envelop Robbie.

The New York Times

We expect snowstorms to envelop our world in silence.

The New York Times

Barbados had not been waiting to envelop me in its embrace, but was indifferent.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to envelop" when you want to emphasize a complete covering or surrounding, either physically or metaphorically. For instance, "The mist began to envelop the valley", or "A sense of calm started to envelop her".

Common error

Don't restrict "to envelop" to solely physical contexts. It can also describe emotional or abstract states, enriching your writing with a sense of all-encompassing influence. Consider, for example, a feeling or mood that "envelops" a situation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "to envelop" is as an infinitive verb, often used transitively. It describes the action of completely covering or surrounding something. Ludwig AI confirms this through various examples where it demonstrates covering in both physical and abstract contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

24%

Lifestyle

8%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to envelop" is a versatile infinitive verb that signifies the act of completely surrounding or covering something. As highlighted by Ludwig, its usage spans across various contexts, from physical descriptions in news and media to abstract concepts in scientific and lifestyle publications. The phrase enjoys a neutral to formal register, making it suitable for diverse writing styles. Remember to use "to envelop" when you want to emphasize a complete covering, whether literal or figurative, and be mindful of avoiding overuse in limited contexts to maintain the richness of your expression. Ludwig AI confirms it is a correct and usable expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to surround

Focuses on encircling something, emphasizing the position around an object rather than complete covering.

to encircle

Highlights the action of forming a circle around something, suggesting a more defined boundary.

to enclose

Implies creating a contained space, often with a sense of confinement or protection.

to wrap

Suggests covering something by winding or folding material around it.

to shroud

Emphasizes concealment or obscurity, often associated with a covering that obscures the view.

to cloak

Implies covering something, often with the intention of hiding or disguising it.

to blanket

Suggests covering something evenly and completely, like a blanket covering a bed.

to immerse

Implies plunging something completely into a substance or surrounding environment.

to engulf

Conveys a sense of being completely overwhelmed or swallowed up.

to permeate

Indicates spreading or diffusing throughout something, filling every part of it.

FAQs

How can I use "to envelop" in a sentence?

You can use "to envelop" to describe a physical covering, as in, "Fog began "to shroud" the city". It can also describe a more abstract covering, as in, "A feeling of sadness started "to overcome" her".

What are some alternatives to "to envelop"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "to surround", "to enclose", "to immerse", or "to engulf".

Is it correct to use "to envelop" in a figurative sense?

Yes, "to envelop" is often used figuratively to describe something that completely covers or surrounds something else, such as a feeling or atmosphere. For example, "A sense of mystery seemed "to permeate" the room."

What's the difference between "to envelop" and "to surround"?

While both suggest encompassing something, "to envelop" implies a more complete and encompassing coverage. "To surround" can simply mean to be on all sides, but not necessarily covering completely.