will be scattered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "will be scattered" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the future action of something being dispersed or spread out over an area or among a group. Example: "The seeds will be scattered across the field in the spring to ensure a bountiful harvest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Television monitors showing episodes will be scattered around the floor.

The New York Times - Style

His ashes will be scattered at sea in the old sow of Grand Manan Island, Canada.

The New York Times

The remaining third will be scattered among five or six smaller blocks.

The Economist

Her cremains will be scattered across Long Island Sound by her family.

The New York Times

Beyond the workshops, modern music will be scattered throughout the festival.

The New York Times

The stars — on tiles with inspirational quotes from the inductees — will be scattered around the neighborhood.

The New York Times

Classical ensembles from closer to home will be scattered throughout the state.

The New York Times

Her ashes will be scattered onto the ocean that she loved so much.

The New York Times

Most of the 104 students at St. Martin's will be scattered to other Catholic schools.

The New York Times

His ashes will be scattered over the plains of his beloved Botswana by his family.

The New York Times

The mingled earth will be scattered into the tomb during the reinterment ceremony.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "will be scattered" when describing the future state of items or people being spread over a wide area or among different locations. It effectively conveys a sense of dispersion.

Common error

Avoid using "will be scattered" in every situation where dispersion is involved. Sometimes, more specific verbs like "distributed", "dispersed", or "strewn" might be more appropriate to accurately reflect the nuance of the spreading action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "will be scattered" functions as a future passive verb phrase. It indicates a future action where something is dispersed or spread out, with the subject being the recipient of the action. Ludwig provides examples from various sources demonstrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

26%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "will be scattered" is a grammatically sound and very common future passive verb phrase used to describe the dispersion of something. As Ludwig confirms, it appears frequently in news, science, and academic contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider the specific context to ensure it accurately conveys the intended nuance, as more precise alternatives like "dispersed" or "distributed" may sometimes be more appropriate. When writing, avoid overusing "will be scattered" without considering context and remember that alternatives depend on the nature of spreading and the objects involved.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

will be dispersed

Replaces "scattered" with "dispersed", implying a more systematic spreading.

will be distributed

Focuses on the act of allocating or spreading something among a group or area.

will be spread out

Emphasizes the physical arrangement of being extended over an area.

will be strewn

Suggests a more random and less organized scattering.

will be diffused

Implies a spreading out from a central point or source.

will be dissipated

Indicates a gradual disappearance or fading away while spreading.

will be sprinkled

Suggests a light and even distribution, like small particles.

will be peppered

Implies a distribution that is frequent and somewhat dense.

will be dotted

Suggests a distribution that creates a pattern of small marks or points.

will be broadcasted

Specifically implies information or signals are being spread widely.

FAQs

How can I use "will be scattered" in a sentence?

You can use "will be scattered" to describe items or people that will be spread out over an area. For example, "The ashes of the deceased "will be scattered" at sea" or "The protesters "will be scattered" by the police."

What can I say instead of "will be scattered"?

Alternatives to "will be scattered" include "will be dispersed", "will be distributed", or "will be spread out" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "will scattered" instead of "will be scattered"?

No, "will scattered" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "will be scattered", which uses the auxiliary verb "be" to form the passive voice in the future tense.

What's the difference between "will be scattered" and "will scatter"?

"Will be scattered" implies that something will be dispersed by an external force or event (passive voice). "Will scatter" implies that something will actively disperse itself or cause dispersion (active voice). For example, "The wind "will scatter" the seeds" (active) versus "The seeds "will be scattered" by the wind" (passive).