by how widespread

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by how widespread" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the extent or prevalence of something, often in relation to its impact or significance. Example: "The study revealed concerns by how widespread misinformation has spread across social media platforms."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Were you shocked by how widespread the problem was?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

In 2005, shocked by how widespread bear farming had become, Vietnam outlawed the extraction of bile while allowing farms to keep existing animals so they weren't just slaughtered.

The Washington Post

Even the investors who warned two years ago that the market, especially the technology sector, had become a bubble, say they are shocked by how widespread corporate gamesmanship seems to have become during the boom.

The New York Times

It seems they have been consistently blindsided by how widespread the subprime problems have become as well as complacent about the potential spillover into other areas of the debt markets.At first, investors thought the subprime issue was confined to a few lenders, but the forthright website www.lenderimplode.com suggests that 97 of them have now been hit.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

His team, which started by researching how widespread this notion has become, found a growing interest among health professionals to create their own innovative solutions to patients' problems.

The New York Times

An investigation by Mic revealed how widespread the symbol's use has become, largely below the radar of the mainstream.

The Guardian - Tech

Mocked for my farro-equals-spelt assumption, I tried to exonerate myself by proving just how widespread is this misperception.

The New York Times - Magazine

She expected to hear from 15 or so friends and family members, she said, and was stunned by the reaction – how widespread and politicized it was.

The Guardian

Experts are always trying to change bad behavior by warning of how widespread it is, and they take any opportunity to label it a crisis.

The New York Times

On the other hand, some studies examining larger datasets examine practices in less detail, but may significantly contribute to reviews by providing evidence about how widespread a practice is, its frequency of use within settings, and by showing recurrent patterns in its consequences such as the kinds of response it prompts from patients.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

The production of cluster weapons by many nations shows how widespread the technology for their production is.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by how widespread" to emphasize a sense of surprise, shock, or concern regarding the prevalence of something. This phrasing is suitable when you want to highlight the unexpected or significant extent of a phenomenon.

Common error

Avoid using "by how widespread" when a straightforward description of prevalence is sufficient. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily dramatic or convoluted. Simpler phrases like "how widespread" or "the extent to which" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by how widespread" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the degree or extent to which something is prevalent. It often introduces a clause expressing surprise, concern, or a reaction to the widespread nature of a phenomenon. As shown by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by how widespread" is grammatically correct, though relatively rare. It serves to emphasize the impact or reaction to the prevalence of a particular phenomenon, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts and can be replaced with alternatives like "to what extent" or "how pervasive", depending on the specific nuance desired. While grammatically sound, avoid overusing it in simple descriptions where direct language suffices. According to Ludwig, the phrase is usable in written English and serves to denote the degree to which something is common.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how far-reaching is it

Emphasizes the extent of influence or effect.

how pervasive is it

Emphasizes the thoroughness of something's spread or influence.

how commonly does it occur

Shifts the focus to the frequency of occurrence.

how extensive is its impact

Highlights the breadth and depth of an effect.

to what extent is it common

Focuses on quantifying how commonly something occurs.

how much is it diffused

Emphasizes the scattering or spreading of something.

what is the reach of

Focuses on the scope of influence or impact.

what is the degree of prevalence

Highlights the level or measure of something being widespread.

what is the scale of

Focuses on the magnitude or size of something.

what is the frequency of

Focuses on how often something happens or is present.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "by how widespread" in a sentence?

You can replace "by how widespread" with phrases such as "to what extent", "how common", or "how pervasive" depending on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is "by how widespread" grammatically correct?

Yes, "by how widespread" is grammatically correct. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is usable in written English.

When is it appropriate to use "by how widespread"?

Use "by how widespread" when you want to emphasize a reaction (like surprise or concern) to the extent or prevalence of something, rather than just stating its frequency.

What's the difference between "how widespread" and "by how widespread"?

"How widespread" is a direct question or statement about prevalence. "By how widespread" introduces a sense of impact or reaction caused "how widespread" something is.