was covered in

USAGE SUMMARY

"was covered in" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when describing something being surrounded or completely covered or smothered in something else. For example: "The entire room was covered in cobwebs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

I was covered in wounds.

Independent

Each was covered in sandpaper.

The New York Times

I was covered in blood".

The New York Times

Everything was covered in ash.

The New Yorker

I was covered in insects.

Independent

His body was covered in tattoos.

The New Yorker

The floor was covered in food stamps.

The New Yorker

The bottle was covered in peanut butter.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

I am covered in dog.

The New York Times

I'm covered in petroglyphs.

The New Yorker

It's covered in poetry.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was covered in" to vividly describe something being entirely concealed or heavily affected by another substance or element. For instance, "The car was covered in mud after the storm" effectively conveys the extent of the mud's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "was covered in" when only a small portion of something is affected. Instead of saying "The corner was covered in dust", consider "The corner had some dust on it" if the dust is minimal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was covered in" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject received the action of being covered. It vividly describes the state of something being enveloped or saturated by another substance, as illustrated by Ludwig's numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was covered in" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase effectively describing a state of being enveloped or saturated by something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in News & Media. When using this phrase, ensure the extent of coverage aligns with your intended meaning and consider alternatives like "was blanketed with" or "was coated with" for nuanced descriptions. This analysis, combined with Ludwig's extensive examples, provides a comprehensive guide to using this versatile phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was blanketed with

Emphasizes a complete and often thick covering, similar to a blanket.

was coated with

Implies a thin layer of something spread over a surface.

was saturated with

Suggests being completely filled or soaked with a liquid or idea.

was filled with

Focuses on the content occupying the space, rather than the covering aspect.

was immersed in

Indicates deep involvement or absorption in something.

was draped in

Suggests a loose and decorative covering.

was layered with

Implies multiple levels of covering, one on top of another.

was strewn with

Suggests a scattering or sprinkling of something over a surface.

was plastered with

Implies a thick, often messy application.

was surrounded by

Focuses on the environment or immediate vicinity, implying a covering from all sides.

FAQs

How can I use "was covered in" in a sentence?

Use "was covered in" to describe something completely or heavily layered with something else, such as "The table "was covered in food" after the party".

What are some alternatives to "was covered in"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "was blanketed with", "was coated with", or "was saturated with" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "is covered in" instead of "was covered in"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "is covered in" describes a present state, while "was covered in" describes a past state. For example, "The ground is covered in snow now," versus "The ground "was covered in snow" yesterday".

What's the difference between "was covered with" and "was covered in"?

While both are generally interchangeable, "was covered in" often implies a more immersive or pervasive covering. "The floor "was covered in glass"" and "The floor "was covered with glass"" are nearly identical, but "in" might suggest the glass is more deeply embedded.