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Prepositions after verbs

Scatter in, across, around, throughout or on?

Different prepositions after scatter describe different patterns of distribution or location.

Quick answer

Which preposition works with scatter?

Use scatter across for spreading over a surface or area, scatter around for distribution in many directions, and scatter throughout for distribution in all parts of a place. In and on often introduce the location where things are scattered.

Villages were scattered across the valley.
Papers were scattered around the office.
Small lights were scattered throughout the hall.
Leaves were scattered on the path.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
scatter across + area

Spreading over a wide surface

Use across for distribution over a region or surface.

Wind farms are scattered across the coastline.
The seeds were scattered across the field.
2
scatter around + place

Spreading in many directions

Use around for loose or random distribution nearby.

Toys were scattered around the room.
Tourists scattered around the square after the concert.
3
scatter throughout + place

Spreading through all parts

Use throughout for distribution in every part of an area.

Sensors are scattered throughout the building.
References to music are scattered throughout the novel.
4
scatter in + place

Showing the place of distribution

In introduces the place where things end up scattered.

Coins were scattered in the sand.
Documents lay scattered in several drawers.
5
scatter on + surface

Showing the surface receiving objects

On introduces the surface where things are spread.

Flowers were scattered on the stage.
Ash was scattered on the snow.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
scatter across
Cabins are scattered across the island.
Spread over a broad area.
scatter around
Books were scattered around the floor.
Spread randomly in nearby places.
scatter throughout
Cameras are scattered throughout the station.
Present in all parts of a place.
scatter in
Shells were scattered in the grass.
In introduces the containing place.
scatter on
Rice was scattered on the table.
On introduces the receiving surface.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using throughout for a small surface

Across or on may sound more natural for flat surfaces.

✕ The papers were scattered throughout the desk. ✓ The papers were scattered across the desk.

Confusing around and across

Across suggests coverage of an area, while around suggests random nearby distribution.

✕ Villages are scattered around the entire country. ✓ Villages are scattered across the entire country.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. Small farms are scattered ___ the region.
2. Clothes were scattered ___ the bedroom.
3. Emergency exits are scattered ___ the stadium.

Check your sentence in context

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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between across and throughout?

Across emphasises surface or area coverage, while throughout emphasises presence in every part.

Can scatter around describe people?

Yes. People can scatter around a place after an event or announcement.

Is scatter in incorrect?

No. In can naturally introduce the place where objects are scattered.

sack, by, sack, for, sack, from "sacrifice for" or "sacrifice to"? sail from, in, for, to or through? "salvage from" or "salvage in"? sanction by, for, in, with or according? satisfy with, by, in, about or after? "saturate with" or "saturate in"? save by, for, from, on or in? "say in", "say about" or "say to"? "scan for", "scan in" or "scan through"? "scar by" or "scar on"? score in, on, for, at or with?

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