become widespread

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'become widespread' is an acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe how something has become more prominent or widely known. For example, "The use of smartphones has become widespread over the past decade."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ramen noodles have also become widespread.

Independent

Since 2005 this has become widespread.

Independent

Fracking would become widespread as a result.

The Guardian

Shopping by cellphone will also become widespread.

The New York Times

Poplar and eucalyptus have become widespread since the 19th century.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"It has become widespread; children are commodities," Ms. Coomaraswamy said.

The New York Times

Poverty has become widespread, especially in urban areas.

The Economist

Pumped storage has become widespread in industrialized nations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Reports of cheating, by students and adults, have become widespread.

The New York Times

But don't expect the practice to become widespread.

The New York Times

Car sharing or fractional ownership could become widespread.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "become widespread" to describe trends, technologies, or practices that are increasingly common or prevalent in a specific context.

Common error

Avoid using "become widespread" with singular subjects. It's more appropriate for plural subjects or abstract concepts that can affect many things. For example, say "Smartphones have become widespread" instead of "This smartphone has become widespread."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become widespread" functions as a verb phrase, typically used within a clause to indicate that something is increasing in prevalence or distribution. Ludwig provides examples of its usage in various contexts, confirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "become widespread" is a grammatically sound and commonly used verb phrase to indicate the increasing prevalence of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for describing trends across various fields like technology, culture, and scientific phenomena. While versatile, pay attention to subject-verb agreement and use it to describe the process of increasing prevalence. Alternatives like "gain popularity" or "become commonplace" can be used to add variety to your writing. Its presence is strongest in science and news media suggesting usage is neutral to formal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become commonplace

Indicates something is now ordinary or usual.

gain prevalence

Focuses on the act of gaining popularity or acceptance.

achieve broad acceptance

Stresses the wide approval or endorsement.

grow in popularity

Emphasizes the increasing favor or liking something receives.

take hold

Implies a firm establishment and expansion.

spread rapidly

Highlights the quick dissemination or distribution.

establish itself widely

Focuses on the establishment of something across a wide area or group.

proliferate

Suggests a rapid increase in number or extent.

extend its reach

Highlights the expansion of influence or accessibility.

increase exponentially

Emphasizes a very rapid and accelerating growth.

FAQs

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

You can use "become widespread" to describe trends or phenomena that are increasingly common. For example, "The use of renewable energy has "become widespread" due to environmental concerns."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "become widespread"?

Alternatives include "gain popularity", "become commonplace", or "spread rapidly", depending on the specific context you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "became widespread" instead of "become widespread"?

Yes, "became widespread" is the past tense form and is correct when referring to something that has already happened. "Become widespread" is used in present perfect constructions (has/have become) or to describe a future expectation.

What's the difference between "become widespread" and "is widespread"?

"Become widespread" describes the process of something spreading or becoming more common. "Is widespread" describes the state of something being generally prevalent or common. For example, "The practice of remote work has "become widespread" in recent years", and "Remote work "is widespread" in many industries now".