Alexey
Today's phrase - strewn everywhere
Hi!

I try to learn new English phrases on and off.
And I've done over 2000 phrases so far.

One of the words I've learnt is "strewn everywhere<em>"</em>

Here are examples I've written myself:

Debris were strewn everywhere.
Slum city center where rubbish is strewn everywhere.
Kids tend to strew clothes everywhere.


Does a native speaker say it like that?
Is it a casual speech?

Thank you.

PS I found this phrase on the BBC web site.
2019年12月18日 17:41
コメント · 6
2
You’re welcome Alexey.

The word rubbish is used differently in the US as opposed to the UK, as far as I’ve noticed. In the UK rubbish is synonymous with trash or garbage. I think they say a „rubbish bin“ (su.ki. will have to correct me if I am wrong on that), but in the US rubbish is used pretty much exclusively in its figurative sense: „He’s just talking rubbish“ or „what he believes is pure rubbish.“ As far as I know, that’s about the only way I’ve heard it used in California over the last 55 years. If you asked someone here „Where‘s the rubbish bin?“ everyone would understand you, but no one would just say that on their own.

Just my two cents on the matter.
2019年12月18日
2
I don’t think it’s casual speech, just regular speech, but it’s fine. Native speakers do say strewn a lot (at least in the States). But not exactly like in your sentences. No one is likely to say “the kids tend to strew clothes everywhere.” I would just say “throw clothes everywhere.” To use strew here sounds odd to me. Can’t say it’s totally wrong, but I would not use „strew“ here.

Your second sentence just needs a little more. I’d re-reword it slightly and say “The city center, the slum area, is where trash (US- the word “rubbish” is not used as much in the US) is strewn everywhere.“ Also “debris WAS strewn everywhere (debris is singular).” With those minor changes the sentences are fine.
2019年12月18日
1
Hi Alexey,
This is really a more formal phrase, in that I’d expect to come across it more in English language writing or spoken news reports. I’d also say it’s natural in the <em>passive, </em>not as an active verb or as an infinitive. We could refer to a child’s bedroom floor being “strewn with toys”, but not that the kid actively <em>strew </em>anything. As SHL says, we’d use another verb to describe their action.

Some other notes: <em>debris </em>is a mass noun, so “debris was strewn”. I would also put a more complete subject at the start of your second example.
2019年12月18日
Hi @SHL, i live in US now, but still have been listening UK radio programs. This is why I and probably mix sometimes British and American.
2019年12月18日
@Irene, thank you! 
2019年12月18日
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