circulated

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "circulated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the action of something moving around, like ideas, information, or money. For example: The news of the scandal circulated quickly through the small town.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Rumours of Abdullah's death circulated on social media before Saudi TV began broadcasting Qur'anic verses – often a sign of bad news – and the announcement was made.

The Guardian

Media interest has grown in the case and the demand to interview him has been so intense that a pooled interview filmed by the BBC is to be circulated on Tuesday.

The Guardian

Some games that parents consider harmless, like Farmville, encourage in-app purchases in order to progress in the game, and stories have circulated online about people becoming so obsessed with it that they're neglecting their children, or children have taken their parents' credit cards.

The Guardian - Tech

According to an extract of his speech circulated by his office on Sunday, Shorten planned to say: "When someone has found not just another person they can live with, but a person they can't live without, then they should have the same right to the true qualities of a bond that runs deeper than any law".

The Guardian

Her reputation, finely honed and widely circulated, was for straight-talking.

The Guardian - Opinion

"After May 22, 2015, the National Security Agency will need to begin taking steps to wind down the bulk telephone metadata program in anticipation of a possible sunset in order to ensure that it does not engage in any unauthorized collection or use of the metadata," states the memo, circulated on Capitol Hill and first reported by National Journal.

The Guardian

Samples from mummies in a Hungarian crypt have revealed that multiple tuberculosis strains derived from a single Roman ancestor that circulated in 18th-century Europe, scientists said Tuesday.

The Guardian

The Rudd forces circulated a petition in an effort to force the Labor leadership stand-off to a conclusion.

The Guardian

In a video that has since circulated online, the Olympic gold medallist answered her bedroom door to discover a seemingly empty wheelie bin, only for Wood to burst out and put the frighteners up her.

The Guardian - Sport

Hunko said today he had asked those questions after activists in Nottingham unmasked Kennedy in October and circulated news of their findings.

The Guardian

"Most of you probably already know that transvestite creature Lady Gaga is about to release a music video," began one recent missive, purportedly circulated by Miley Cyrus fans, although perhaps created by a third fanbase wishing to discredit both Gaga and Cyrus in one fell swoop.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "circulated", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being distributed and the means by which it is being spread. For instance, specify if it's information circulated online or documents circulated among colleagues.

Common error

Avoid using "circulated" with overly vague subjects. Instead of saying "ideas circulated", specify what kind of ideas and where they were circulated to provide a clearer and more impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "circulated" is as a verb, typically in the past tense or as a past participle. It describes the action of something being distributed or passed around. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "circulated" is a versatile verb that effectively describes the distribution or spreading of information, objects, or ideas. According to Ludwig AI, the word is correct and usable in written English. Its frequent appearance in news, business, and scientific contexts highlights its wide applicability. When using "circulated", clarity is key: ensure the subject and method of distribution are clearly defined. Remember that alternatives like "distributed" or "spread" can offer different nuances depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

put in circulation

Highlights the act of making something available to the public.

distributed

Focuses on the action of giving something out to multiple recipients.

disseminated

Suggests a more formal or official distribution of information.

spread

Implies a widening of scope or reach from a central point.

propagated

Indicates a spreading or reproduction of something, like an idea or belief.

broadcast

Refers to a wide distribution of information, typically through media.

passed around

Implies a more informal and casual distribution among people.

transmitted

Suggests sending something from one place to another, often electronically.

made public

Emphasizes the act of revealing information to the general public.

issued

Focuses on the action of formally releasing or distributing something.

FAQs

How can I use "circulated" in a sentence?

You can use "circulated" to describe how information, rumors, or physical objects move through a group or area. For example, "The memo was "circulated" among the team members" or "Rumors "circulated" after the announcement".

What can I say instead of "circulated"?

You can use alternatives like "distributed", "spread", or "disseminated" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "circulated" or "was circulating"?

Both "circulated" and "was circulating" are correct, but they have different meanings. "Circulated" is the past tense and describes a completed action, while "was circulating" is past continuous and describes an ongoing action in the past. For example: "The document "circulated" last week" vs. "The document "was circulating" before the meeting".

What's the difference between "circulated" and "published"?

"Circulated" implies a movement or distribution among a group, while "published" refers to making something publicly available, often in a formal manner. A document can be "circulated" within a company before it is "published" to the public.