being spread out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being spread out" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is distributed or arranged over a wide area or space. Example: "The resources are being spread out across various departments to ensure everyone has access."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Instead of being spread out, they will be compact.

The New York Times

Dr Wise had spoken of them being spread out, palms up, but this felt weird.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Instead of being spread out on the plate, it arrived in several piles of stacked thin triangles.

The New York Times

The big-state primaries will happen almost simultaneously in 2000, rather than being spread out, as they were in 1996.

The Economist

"With Easter being early, us in the Midwest all have the same spring-break week this year, versus it being spread out throughout a three-week span".

The New York Times - Travel

Stern's, which had not had a store in Manhattan since 1969, did little to promote itself, and was hampered by being spread out over eight floors.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

LP are spread out more widely.

The New York Times

The top trainers are spread out geographically.

The New York Times - Sports

"They were spread out everywhere".

The New York Times

The unit is spread out over three full floors, Nos.

The New York Times

The pain is spread out over a longer period.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "being spread out" when describing a distribution over a physical area, a period of time, or among a group. Consider synonyms like "distributed" or "dispersed" for more formal contexts or when emphasizing a lack of concentration.

Common error

Avoid using "being spread out" in overly passive constructions where an active voice would be more direct and concise. For example, instead of "The work is being spread out among the team members", consider "The team members are dividing the work."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being spread out" functions primarily as part of a verb phrase, typically in a passive or continuous construction. It indicates a state of distribution or dispersion, often suggesting that something is not concentrated in one place or time. Ludwig confirms this is a correct form.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

28%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "being spread out" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the distribution of something across space, time, or a group. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It appears frequently in News & Media and Scientific contexts. When writing, consider synonyms like "distributed" or "dispersed" for more formal settings and avoid overuse in passive constructions. The phrase functions primarily to describe the state of distribution, and its register is generally neutral.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being distributed

Replaces "spread out" with a more formal synonym emphasizing allocation.

being dispersed

Suggests a scattering or diffusion, often implying a loss of concentration.

being diffused

Implies a gradual spreading, often used in scientific or technical contexts.

being scattered

Indicates a random or uneven distribution.

being extended

Focuses on the spatial or temporal reach of something.

being unfolded

Suggests a gradual revelation or development over time.

being expanded

Implies an increase in size or scope.

being stretched out

Emphasizes the act of making something longer or wider.

being propagated

Highlights the transmission or dissemination of something, such as information or ideas.

being radiated

Suggests spreading outwards from a central point, often used in the context of energy or influence.

FAQs

How can I use "being spread out" in a sentence?

You can use "being spread out" to describe something distributed over an area, like "The police were "being spread out" along the route", or to describe something distributed over time, like "The costs are "being spread out" over several months".

What are some alternatives to "being spread out"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "being distributed", "being dispersed", or "being scattered".

Is it better to say "spread out" or "being spread out"?

The choice depends on the sentence structure. "Spread out" is often used as an adjective (e.g., "The picnic blanket was spread out"), while "being spread out" is used in progressive or passive constructions (e.g., "The workload is being spread out among the team").

What does it mean when something is "being spread out"?

It generally means that something is not concentrated in one place or time, but rather distributed or extended across a wider area or period. This could apply to physical objects, resources, or even abstract concepts.