by spreading to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by spreading to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the action of extending or disseminating something to different areas or groups. Example: "The virus is known for its rapid transmission by spreading to various regions within days."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Opponents are concerned that adopting GM crops could foster stronger pests, diseases and weeds that evolve to adapt to engineered plants and that the injected "rogue" genes could cause problems by spreading to other plants.

Independent

The various thermal paths from the GaN gate junction to the case are carried out for heat dissipation by spreading to protective coating; transferring through the bond wires; spreading in the lateral device structure through the adhesive layer, and vertical heat spreading of silicon chip bottom.

Applied Thermal Engineering

Although the fires on the sea caused a number of secondary fires by spreading to buildings, ships, and forests, safety measures against such tsunami-induced oil spill fires have not been sufficiently considered in Japan because of the lack of numerical simulation methods for the fires.

Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is an aggressive malignancy and characterized by spreading to regional lymph nodes and distant metastases, but we were unable to find a previous report of simultaneous metastases of transformed ATC to either the small intestine or thoracic esophagus in the English language literature.

Surgical Case Reports

Google also stands to bolster its efforts to gain inroads into the living room by spreading to TVs.

Huffington Post

A previous study of de novo methylation at the human P16 gene in primary mammary epithelial cell lines inferred site-specific initiation of de novo methylation followed by spreading to intervening regions [40].

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

On the one hand, the routes may be determined by proximity – spreading to nearby places – or by hierarchical levels – spreading between places in a stepwise manner.

International Encyclopedia of Human Geography

Reduce the ability of weeds to grow in the first place by spreading two to three inches (6 to 8 cm) of organic mulch around the plants.

WikiHow

Why or why not? –What do you think the United States hopes to gain by spreading messages to the Afghans?

The New York Times

Subunit exchange could facilitate the recruitment of additional holoenzymes to the receptor by spreading activation to unactivated holoenzymes.

eLife

Strive to live this everyday by spreading it to those around you, even if they are unenlightened.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "by spreading to", ensure that the subject performing the spreading action is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "by spreading to" in passive constructions where the agent of spreading is unclear or omitted. This can lead to vague and less impactful sentences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by spreading to" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating the method or means by which something extends, expands, or affects other entities or areas. It connects an action to its resulting distribution, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by spreading to" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to describe the dissemination or extension of something to different targets, as validated by Ludwig AI. While its frequency is uncommon, it is suitable for neutral to slightly formal contexts, particularly in scientific and news-related content. Remember to ensure clarity in your writing by explicitly stating the agent of the spreading action and avoiding passive constructions. Alternative phrases such as "via dissemination to" may be considered for more formal tones.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

via dissemination to

Replaces "by spreading" with a more formal term for distribution.

through propagation to

Uses a more technical term for growth and distribution.

by extending towards

Focuses on the directional aspect of the spreading.

through transmission to

Emphasizes the act of passing something on.

by diffusion into

Highlights the gradual process of spreading.

in expanding towards

Highlights the expansion aspect of the process.

via transference to

Focuses on the movement of something from one place to another.

through passage to

Implies a more direct or linear form of spreading.

by reaching out to

Emphasizes the act of making contact with new areas or groups.

in its outreach to

Focuses on the process of reaching a wider audience or area.

FAQs

How can I use "by spreading to" in a sentence?

You can use "by spreading to" to describe how something extends or affects different areas, people, or things. For instance, "The disease is transmitted "by spreading to" new regions."

What are some alternatives to "by spreading to"?

Alternatives include phrases like "via dissemination to", "through propagation to", or "by extending towards", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "by spreading to" or "through spreading to"?

"By spreading to" is generally more concise and direct. "Through spreading to" can sometimes sound redundant. Consider the context and choose the option that provides the most clarity.

Can "by spreading to" be used in both formal and informal contexts?

While generally acceptable, "by spreading to" may be perceived as less formal. For highly formal writing, consider alternatives like "via dissemination to" or similar phrases that convey a more sophisticated tone.