The verb ‘strew’ is an expressive word often used to describe the action of scattering or spreading things loosely across a surface. It adds vividness and imagery to both spoken and written language. Whether you’re talking about petals on a path, clothes on a floor, or papers across a desk, ‘strew’ brings to life the concept of disorderly placement or distribution. Learning how to make a sentence of strew can help students and writers expand their vocabulary and strengthen descriptive communication.
Understanding the Meaning of Strew
Definition and Usage
‘Strew’ means to scatter or spread things untidily or over a surface. It is commonly used to describe a wide distribution of objects, often in a casual, careless, or natural way. The word carries a visual sense of disorganization or random placement.
Grammatical Forms
- Base form: strew
- Past tense: strewed
- Past participle: strewn or strewed
- Present participle: strewing
Examples of Strew in Sentences
Simple Sentences
- Flowers were strewed along the wedding aisle.
- The wind strewed leaves all over the front porch.
- He strewed his books and papers across the desk.
- Toys were strewn around the living room after the birthday party.
- Confetti was strewed on the dance floor after the celebration.
Advanced Sentence Examples
- The battlefield was strewn with broken weapons and abandoned gear, a haunting reminder of the fight that had taken place.
- She strewed rose petals across the bed, hoping to create a romantic atmosphere.
- Documents were strewn on the ground after the bag ripped open on the sidewalk.
- The gardener strewed fertilizer evenly across the flower beds to ensure healthy growth.
- After the parade, candy wrappers and balloons were strewn from one end of the street to the other.
Using Strew in Descriptive Writing
Story Context Example
As Amelia entered the attic, dust ptopics danced in the sunlight. Boxes were stacked carelessly, and old clothes were strewed across the wooden floor. A broken doll lay under a cobwebbed chair, its tiny limbs outstretched. She tiptoed through the mess, every creak of the floorboards telling a forgotten story.
Creative Writing Practice
- Try describing a storm scene: ‘Branches and trash cans were strewn across the street after the heavy winds.’
- Write about a picnic: ‘They strewed the blanket with snacks, drinks, and flowers, ready for an afternoon of fun.’
- Describe a festival: ‘Colorful paper lanterns were strewed across the ceiling, lighting up the room in every hue.’
Tips for Making a Sentence of Strew
1. Visualize the Action
Think about the image you want to create. Strew works best when you’re trying to show a scattered or messy situation. Use it when the placement of objects appears random or widespread.
2. Choose the Right Subject
Use ‘strew’ with agents like wind, people, or even natural forces. For example, ‘The children strewed their toys,’ or ‘The storm strewed debris across the field.’
3. Match the Tense
Be careful to use the correct form:
- Present: They strew the papers.
- Past: They strewed the papers.
- Past participle: The papers were strewn everywhere.
4. Add Sensory Details
Enrich your sentence by describing the texture, color, or type of objects being strewn. For example, ‘Silver glitter was strewed over the birthday card, making it sparkle.’
Synonyms and Related Vocabulary
Words Similar to Strew
- Scatter
- Spread
- Disperse
- Sprinkle
- Distribute
Each of these words has a slightly different nuance. ‘Strew’ emphasizes a loose, often careless or decorative scattering.
Differences Between Strew and Scatter
While both words mean to spread out, ‘scatter’ is more common in everyday speech. ‘Strew’ is often used in more poetic or descriptive contexts, such as literature or storytelling.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Using Incorrect Past Form
People sometimes use the wrong past form. Remember:
- Past: strewed
- Past participle: strewn or strewed (both are acceptable, though ‘strewn’ is more formal)
2. Misusing with Organized Placement
Do not use ‘strew’ when describing neat or orderly placement. For example, don’t say ‘She strewed the books neatly on the shelf’ use ‘arranged’ instead.
3. Confusing Subject and Object
Ensure that the sentence clearly shows who is doing the strewing and what is being strewn. For example, He strewed the floor with flower petals, not He strewed the flower petals. (The latter can work, but it removes clarity on where the petals went.)
Practice Exercises
Fill-in-the-Blank
- The floor was ______ with broken glass after the vase fell.
- Children ______ their crayons all over the carpet.
- After the ceremony, guests ______ flower petals along the pathway.
Sentence Rewriting
Rewrite the following sentences using the word ‘strew.’
- The gardener scattered seeds over the soil.
- Confetti was spread around the room after the party.
- Books and papers were lying all over the table.
Learning how to make a sentence of strew enriches your descriptive vocabulary and enables you to bring vivid imagery into your writing. Whether you’re describing a festive scene, a chaotic mess, or a peaceful scattering of petals, ‘strew’ is a powerful word to convey movement, placement, and atmosphere. By practicing its various forms and exploring its usage in context, you’ll become more confident and precise in your communication. From poetry to storytelling, the ability to use ‘strew’ effectively opens the door to more expressive and dynamic language.