as widespread as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as widespread as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the extent or prevalence of something to another thing. Example: "The use of smartphones is as widespread as the internet itself in today's society."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The markdowns are as widespread as they are substantial.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Was its use in England as widespread as in China?

Harvard University

"Plus, [homosexuality] is not as widespread as some people suggest.

The Guardian

Human-rights groups say torture is as widespread as ever.

The Economist

But the practice is not as widespread as it should be.

The Guardian - Opinion

Sequels were around (Halloween 3 and Amityville II: The Possession) but not as widespread as today.

The Guardian - Film

"It is an abuse of expenses but it is not as widespread as Hanningfield suggests.

The Guardian

"Apparently the rate of infection is not as widespread as we might have thought," he added.

The New York Times

Even so, no one can have imagined the problem was as widespread as this report shows.

The Guardian

Before the vaccine became available, dread of polio was almost as widespread as the disease itself.

The New Yorker

Yes, the midlife crisis is not as widespread as commonly believed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing the prevalence of two phenomena, ensure that the comparison is logical and relevant to the context. For instance, it's more impactful to say "the fear was "as widespread as" the disease itself" rather than comparing unrelated concepts.

Common error

Avoid using "as widespread as" when the extent of one item is significantly less than the other. Overstating the prevalence can weaken your argument and mislead your audience. Check the data before making a comparison.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as widespread as" functions primarily as a comparative, indicating that something is equally prevalent or distributed to the same degree as something else. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

19%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as widespread as" is a versatile comparative phrase used to equate the extent or prevalence of two subjects. Ludwig AI identifies the phrase as grammatically correct and suitable across various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, science, and academic writing, it serves to emphasize the commonality or reach of a subject by relating it to another. While alternatives like "as common as" and "as prevalent as" exist, "as widespread as" specifically highlights geographical distribution or broad reach. When using this phrase, ensure that the comparison is logical and avoid overstating the extent of either subject.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as common as

Changes 'widespread' to 'common', focusing on frequency or typicality rather than geographical spread.

as prevalent as

Replaces 'widespread' with 'prevalent', highlighting the dominance or common occurrence of something.

as extensive as

Substitutes 'widespread' with 'extensive', emphasizing the broad reach or scope of something.

as ubiquitous as

Replaces 'widespread' with 'ubiquitous', stressing the omnipresence or very common nature of something.

as rampant as

Changes 'widespread' to 'rampant', suggesting an uncontrolled or rapidly increasing prevalence.

as large as

Replaces 'widespread' with 'large', focusing on the magnitude or size of the occurrence.

as sweeping as

Changes 'widespread' to 'sweeping', highlighting the comprehensive or all-encompassing nature of something.

as far-reaching as

Substitutes 'widespread' with 'far-reaching', emphasizing the broad impact or influence of something.

as wide scale as

Changes 'widespread' to 'wide scale', directly indicating the large scope or extent.

as commonplace as

Replaces 'widespread' with 'commonplace', emphasizing the ordinariness or lack of uniqueness of something.

FAQs

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

Use "as widespread as" to compare the prevalence or distribution of one thing to another. For example, "The use of mobile payments is "as widespread as" credit card usage in many urban areas".

What's a good alternative to "as widespread as"?

You can use alternatives like "as common as", "as prevalent as", or "as extensive as" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say something is "not as widespread as" something else?

Yes, it's perfectly correct to use "not as widespread as" to indicate that something is less prevalent or less common than something else. For example, "The flu vaccine is effective, but uptake is not "as widespread as" it should be".

What is the difference between "as widespread as" and "as common as"?

"As widespread as" often refers to geographical distribution or reach, while "as common as" emphasizes frequency or typicality. Although similar, "as widespread as" suggests a broader area is affected or involved.