a widespread behavior

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a widespread behavior" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a behavior that is common or prevalent among a group of people or in a particular context. Example: "The study revealed that a widespread behavior among teenagers is the use of social media for communication."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The first potential evidence for herding or flocking as a widespread behavior common to many dinosaur groups in addition to birds was the 1878 discovery of 31 Iguanodon bernissartensis, ornithischians which were then thought to have perished together in Bernissart, Belgium, after they fell into a deep, flooded sinkhole and drowned.

Wikipedia

This would imply the need for reconsideration of the problem: if searching for a better territory is a widespread behavior, then it is not nesting failure which drives a random shift of territory; rather, it is success which puts a halt to further searches for better territory, whereas nesting failure gives a signal to resume the effort at another starting point.

Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"It's frustrating that a few people take a rap for widespread behavior," she said.

The New York Times

The widespread behavior suggests that Americans are not alone in having their partisan beliefs occupy a major identity role.

Stanford University

This is what makes the book of interest historically — its vivid picture of the widespread behavior being condemned.

The New York Times - Books

The bank was fined $185 million for the widespread behavior.

Huffington Post

A lot of considerations are taken into account into this kind of choice, including reputation; for this purpose, people have to conform to the most widespread behaviors, at least in public places.

The New York Times

Parasitological results in pets and awareness determination in their owners clearly highlight how the role of veterinarians is important in indicating correct and widespread behaviors to reduce risks of infection for pets and humans in urban areas.

BioMed Research International

There is a widespread belief that behavior by the football team has been tolerated by the program's infrastructure.

The New York Times - Sports

The increased feeding during the daytime in our NMUr2−/− mice is unlikely to be due to a widespread advancement of circadian behavior, since the diurnal patterns of energy expenditure were not similarly advanced.

American Journal of Physiology - Endocrinology and Metabolism

A new study clarifies the origin and possible fate of a fascinating supergene that determines the coloration and mating behavior of a widespread North American bird.

Current Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a widespread behavior", ensure that you provide context to clarify which population or situation exhibits the behavior. This adds clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that a behavior is universally widespread without sufficient evidence. Use qualifying language (e.g., "relatively widespread", "increasingly widespread") if the extent is uncertain.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a widespread behavior" functions as a noun phrase, where "widespread" modifies the noun "behavior". It describes a particular type of action or conduct that is common or prevalent within a specific group or society. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a widespread behavior" is a grammatically sound and commonly used term to describe actions or conduct that are prevalent within a group or society. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and versatile application across various domains. Its usage is particularly frequent in news, scientific, and academic contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure the context is clear and avoid overgeneralization. Alternatives like "a common practice" or "a prevalent trend" can be used to add nuance. Overall, "a widespread behavior" is a valuable and reliable phrase for describing common patterns of action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a common practice

Replaces 'behavior' with 'practice', suggesting a habitual or customary way of doing something.

a prevalent trend

Substitutes 'behavior' with 'trend', implying a direction or course of events that is currently popular or influential.

a widespread phenomenon

Replaces 'behavior' with 'phenomenon', suggesting a widespread occurrence or event that is notable or remarkable.

a common occurrence

Similar to "a widespread behavior" but emphasizes the event's frequency rather than its nature as a behavior.

a typical pattern

Focuses on the idea of a recurring sequence or arrangement that is representative of a group or category.

a dominant trait

Highlights a characteristic or feature that is most noticeable or influential within a population or group.

a general tendency

Suggests an inclination or predisposition that is commonly observed but not necessarily universal.

a pervasive habit

Emphasizes the widespread and deeply ingrained nature of a particular habit or custom.

a routine activity

Indicates that the behavior is a normal and expected part of a regular sequence of actions.

a regular feature

Highlights that the element or attribute appears constantly or in fixed intervals.

FAQs

How can I use "a widespread behavior" in a sentence?

You can use "a widespread behavior" to describe actions or habits that are common within a group or society. For example, "Social media use is "a widespread behavior" among teenagers."

What are some alternatives to "a widespread behavior"?

Some alternatives include "a common practice", "a prevalent trend", or "a general tendency", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always accurate to describe something as "a widespread behavior"?

Not necessarily. Use caution and ensure that there is sufficient evidence to support the claim that a behavior is indeed widespread. Consider using qualifiers like "relatively" or "increasingly" if the prevalence is not fully established.

What's the difference between "a widespread behavior" and "a common behavior"?

"A widespread behavior" suggests that the behavior is prevalent across a broad area or population, while "a common behavior" simply indicates that it occurs frequently. The key difference is the emphasis on geographical or demographic distribution versus mere frequency.