a spread of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a spread of" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to indicate a range or variety of something, such as "a spread of tasty dishes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's like a spread of goodies.

The New York Times - Sports

That is a spread of 29.1percentt.

The New York Times

We bring a spread of news and analysis.

The Guardian

That is a spread of nearly 45 percentage points.

The New York Times

You have to have a spread of talent".

The Guardian - Tech

Vegemite (a spread of yeast extract and vegetables).

The New York Times - Arts

There was a spread of cold cuts and cheeses.

The New York Times

You're not going to find a spread of them in Hello! magazine, posing around.

The Guardian - Books

Mountain lover is only a foot high and has a spread of three to four feet.

The New York Times

"We do not plan to earn revenue through a spread of our programs.

The New York Times

Our aim was to achieve a spread of age, nationality, experience and area of specialism.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a spread of" to indicate a diverse collection or distribution of items, qualities, or ideas. This emphasizes variety and scope, making your writing more descriptive.

Common error

Avoid using "a spread of" when you mean a literal spreading action. For instance, don't say "a spread of butter" when you should simply say "butter" or "some butter."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a spread of" functions primarily as a determiner followed by a noun, modifying the noun to indicate a variety or assortment. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

29%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a spread of" is a versatile and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate a variety or distribution of items, qualities, or ideas. Ludwig AI confirms its broad applicability. While it appears across various registers, it's most commonly found in News & Media and Science contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you're highlighting diversity rather than describing a uniform substance or action. Alternatives such as "an array of", "a range of", and "a variety of" can be used to achieve similar effects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a variety of

Focuses on the diversity of items or options.

an array of

Emphasizes a structured and visually appealing arrangement.

an assortment of

Suggests a collection of different things, often chosen randomly.

a selection of

Implies a careful choice from a larger set.

a range of

Highlights the scope and limits within which different things are possible.

a distribution of

Highlights how something is spread or allocated over an area or group.

a scattering of

Implies a less organized and more dispersed arrangement.

an expanse of

Suggests a wide and continuous area or surface.

a profusion of

Emphasizes abundance and a large quantity.

a wealth of

Highlights a large and valuable amount.

FAQs

How can I use "a spread of" in a sentence?

You can use "a spread of" to describe a variety or range of something, such as "The buffet offered "a spread of delicious desserts"" or "The study examined "a spread of opinions" on the matter."

What's the difference between "a spread of" and "a variety of"?

While both phrases indicate diversity, "a spread of" often implies a more extensive or visible arrangement, like "a spread of food" on a table. "A variety of" simply emphasizes different types within a group.

Is it ever incorrect to use "a spread of"?

It would be incorrect if you were trying to describe a uniform substance or action, rather than a collection of distinct items. For instance, instead of saying "a spread of paint", you would just say "paint."

What are some alternatives to using "a spread of" in writing?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "an array of", "a range of", or "a selection of" to convey a similar meaning.