circulate widely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "circulate widely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the distribution or sharing of information, documents, or materials to a broad audience. Example: "The announcement will circulate widely among the community to ensure everyone is informed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

DVDs of his sermons circulate widely.

The Washington Post

Tales of Baldassari's imperiousness circulate widely in the art world.

The Guardian - Arts

Three of them, other than the main currency, still circulate widely.

The New York Times

Shirky adds that WSJ.com offers its opinion pieces free, because it wants them to circulate widely.

The Guardian - Tech

While many are too horrific for mainstream media, they circulate widely on YouTube and Facebook.

MIT Technology Review

Daily and weekly journals and newspapers were just beginning to circulate widely.

The New York Times

Bootleg copies of the DVDs circulate widely in the mostly black and poor neighborhoods of West Baltimore.

The New Yorker

He told the show's staff that DVDs of shows such as "24" circulate widely among soldiers stationed in Iraq.

The New Yorker

And the work continues to circulate widely on recordings (Greenberg's having been the first) and in performance.

The New York Times - Arts

The first U.S. coins to circulate widely were probably one-cent pieces struck in 1792 or 1793.

The New Yorker

They may not circulate widely in popular culture, but they account for almost our entire institutional and disciplinary canon.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "circulate widely" when you want to emphasize the breadth of distribution and the wide reach of something, such as information or a document.

Common error

While "circulate widely" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and formal alternatives like "disseminate broadly" or "be widely distributed" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "circulate widely" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of something being distributed or spread to a large number of people or places. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

25%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Science & Research

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "circulate widely" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to describe the broad distribution or spread of information, materials, or other items. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is commonly used in news, scientific, and academic contexts. While generally neutral in tone, more formal alternatives like "disseminate broadly" might be preferred in specific writing situations. Remember to consider your audience and the formality of your context when choosing between "circulate widely" and its alternatives to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be widely distributed

A more literal description of the action of distributing something to many recipients.

become widespread

Focuses on the result of spreading rather than the action of circulating.

spread extensively

Emphasizes the broad reach and scope of the distribution.

reach a broad audience

Focuses on the recipients of the circulation, emphasizing the size of the audience.

gain broad currency

Implies acceptance and common usage, especially for ideas or information.

be disseminated broadly

A more formal and technical term for distributing information.

make the rounds

Suggests informal or casual distribution, often of rumors or news.

become prevalent

Highlights the commonness and widespread existence of something.

permeate thoroughly

Conveys the idea of something spreading completely and deeply.

go viral

Specifically refers to rapid and widespread online sharing of content.

FAQs

How can I use "circulate widely" in a sentence?

You can use "circulate widely" to describe how information, documents, or materials are spread among a broad audience. For example: "The memo will "be widely distributed" among all employees."

What's a less common way to say "circulate widely"?

A less common way to say "circulate widely" is to use the phrase "permeate thoroughly", which implies a more complete and deep spread of something.

What can I say instead of "circulate widely" in academic writing?

In academic writing, consider using alternatives such as "be disseminated broadly" or "become widespread" to maintain a formal tone.

Is there a difference between "circulate widely" and "go viral"?

"Circulate widely" generally refers to broad distribution, while "go viral" specifically describes the rapid and widespread online sharing of content on the internet.