become increasingly widespread

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "become increasingly widespread" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a trend or phenomenon that is growing in prevalence or acceptance over time. Example: "The use of renewable energy sources has become increasingly widespread in recent years as more people recognize the importance of sustainability."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Poverty would become increasingly widespread.

The Guardian - Business

Cellular phones have become increasingly widespread since the 1990s.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Public disapproval of the police has become increasingly widespread.

The Guardian - Opinion

In civil engineering, composite construction has become increasingly widespread due to the improvement of mechanical properties it provides.

Engineering Structures

In the last decade, however, the use of earth in construction has become increasingly widespread in many countries.

Modern Earth Buildings Materials, Engineering, Constructions and Applications

In structural engineering, composite construction has become increasingly widespread due to the improvement of mechanical properties it provides.

Engineering Structures

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

It picked back up in the 2000s, when new medicines to control risks like high cholesterol became increasingly widespread.

The New York Times - Health

"Redshirting" of kindergartners -- the term comes from the practice of postponing the participation of college athletes in competitive games -- became increasingly widespread in the 1990s, and shows no signs of waning.

The New York Times

That year RIM shipped its first BlackBerry with phone features, Handspring launched its Palm-OS-powered Treo line, Microsoft shipped its Pocket PC Phone Edition, and mobile data technology such as GPRS became increasingly widespread.

MIT Technology Review

FBI officials in particular have complained about what they call the "going dark" problem as encryption becomes increasingly widespread and robust across a range of consumer devices and services.

The Washington Post

As a result of sectarian warfare and disastrous post-conflict reconstruction, Shia militia that functioned independently of the state became increasingly widespread and powerful.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "become increasingly widespread" to describe trends, technologies, or phenomena that are noticeably growing in acceptance, adoption, or occurrence over time. This indicates a process of expansion rather than a static state.

Common error

While versatile, "become increasingly widespread" can sometimes sound verbose in highly formal or scientific writing. Consider more concise synonyms like "proliferate" or "gain prevalence" to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become increasingly widespread" functions as a verbal phrase, typically modifying a noun to describe a trend or phenomenon that is expanding its reach or influence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "become increasingly widespread" is a versatile expression used to describe the growing prevalence or acceptance of something over time. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical standing and common usage. It appears most frequently in scientific and news contexts, indicating its suitability for both formal and neutral communication. While effective, writers should consider more concise alternatives like "proliferate" in highly formal settings. The phrase serves to inform audiences about expanding trends and is generally well-regarded across various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become more common

Simplifies the phrase to its most basic components.

become prevalent

Similar in meaning, but emphasizes dominance rather than continuous growth.

spread extensively

Highlights the breadth of the spread rather than the increasing nature.

increase in prevalence

More formal and statistically oriented phrasing.

gain wider acceptance

Focuses on acceptance rather than spread, implying adoption by people.

grow in popularity

Emphasizes the increasing favor or liking of something.

gain traction

Implies momentum and increasing popularity or influence.

expand rapidly

Focuses on the speed of expansion rather than gradual spread.

proliferate

Uses a more formal and scientific term for rapid increase.

take hold

Suggests something is establishing itself firmly and spreading.

FAQs

How can I use "become increasingly widespread" in a sentence?

You can use "become increasingly widespread" to describe trends that are growing. For example: "The use of renewable energy has "become increasingly widespread" in recent years".

What are some alternatives to "become increasingly widespread"?

Alternatives include "become more common", "gain wider acceptance", or "become prevalent". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "become increasingly widespread" or "is becoming increasingly widespread"?

Both are grammatically correct. "Become increasingly widespread" is suitable for general statements, while "is becoming increasingly widespread" emphasizes an ongoing process.

What does it mean when something "becomes increasingly widespread"?

It means that something is expanding its presence, influence, or occurrence over time. This suggests a growing trend or adoption rate.