circulate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "circulate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of passing something around or distributing information among a group of people. Example: "Please circulate the meeting agenda to all team members before our discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He set about producing a "dummy" to circulate to potential advertisers.

The Guardian

Questions also circulate concerning DeRosario as still offers many qualities, but he obviously doesn't fit into the young player mold and he comes at a high cost.

The Guardian - Sport

A police officer in the Duggan case is under investigation by the IPCC after allegedly failing to circulate intelligence about the gun which was linked to an incident in a Hackney barber shop a couple of weeks before Duggan was killed.

The Guardian

"They put the names of young women on a list and circulate through BBM [BlackBerry Messenger].

The Guardian

pic.twitter.com/GnI8dQbTj5 (h/t: @kaylaepstein) Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 12.06pm ET17 06 Guardian Washington correspondent Paul Lewis (@PaulLewis) watches as tourists, the lifeblood of the capital, begin to circulate in earnest again.

The Guardian

The Observer's political editor, Toby Helm, warned that the ad could prove dangerous for Conservatives' reputation if it continues to circulate.

The Guardian

Mark McC to circulate various proposals for books that were bought by publishers.

The Guardian

Even wilder stories began to circulate.

The Guardian - Opinion

ONE of the dreams of nanotechnologists those who try to engineer machines mere billionths of a metre across is to build medical devices that can circulate in the bloodstream.

The Economist

Stories circulate of Mr Greenberg's own aircraft being sent to bring sick employees for care at New York-Presbyterian hospital (home to the Greenberg wing), and of his secretary evacuated from Lebanon in the midst of war.

The Economist

Various figures circulate for the cost of doing business with cyber-criminals.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "circulate" when you want to emphasize the widespread distribution of information or ideas within a specific group or system.

Common error

Avoid overusing "circulate" when simpler words like "distribute" or "share" would be more appropriate, especially in informal contexts. The word "circulate" may sound unnecessarily formal in casual conversation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "circulate" is as a verb. It describes the action of moving in a circular path or the process of distributing something widely. As Ludwig AI confirms, this verb can also be used transitively to cause something to move or spread.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "circulate" functions primarily as a verb, denoting the action of moving in a circle or spreading information widely. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts. Its prevalence in news and media sources, such as The Economist and The Guardian, indicates its widespread usage. While alternatives like "distribute" and "spread" exist, "circulate" often emphasizes a cyclical or comprehensive movement. In formal writing, it effectively conveys the idea of something moving through a system or being widely disseminated. Therefore, understanding the nuances of "circulate" can enhance clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distribute

Focuses on giving something out to multiple recipients, implying a deliberate action.

spread

Emphasizes the widening reach of something, often information or news.

disseminate

Implies a more formal and widespread distribution of information.

propagate

Suggests the active promotion and spreading of an idea or belief.

pass around

Indicates a casual and informal way of sharing something among a group.

go around

Refers to rumors or news becoming widely known or talked about.

circularize

Implies sending information to a specific group in a circular fashion.

pass on

Highlights the act of transferring something to another person.

diffuse

Describes the spreading of something in a less controlled or directed way.

broadcast

Suggests a wide and often public transmission of information.

FAQs

How can I use "circulate" in a sentence?

You can use "circulate" to describe the movement of blood through the body or the distribution of information. For example, "The blood needs to "circulate" properly" or "Please "circulate" this memo to all employees".

What words can I use instead of "circulate"?

Depending on the context, you can use words like "distribute", "spread", or "disseminate" as alternatives to "circulate".

Is there a difference between "circulate" and "distribute"?

"Circulate" often implies a continuous or cyclical movement, while "distribute" simply means to give out or spread something. For example, blood "circulates", but flyers are "distributed".

When is it appropriate to use "circulate" in formal writing?

"Circulate" is suitable for formal writing when you want to convey the idea of something moving through a system or being widely disseminated. This is especially true in technical or scientific contexts.