contain the spread

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contain the spread" is a valid and usable phrase in written English.
You could use this phrase when talking about trying to stop the growth or development of something, usually in a negative context. For example, you could say, "The government's new regulations are aiming to contain the spread of the virus."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Army is called in to help contain the spread.

The Guardian

Beyond public education campaigns, efforts to contain the spread of earthworms could prove politically daunting.

The New York Times - Science

The government has been trying to contain the spread of the recordings.

The New York Times

Senegal has managed to contain the spread of the disease through sex education and condom promotion.

The New York Times

The plan emphasizes the importance of early detection to help contain the spread of the illness.

The New York Times

It says efforts to contain the spread were thwarted by "political blockages".

The Guardian

The organisation destroyed 11,000 frogs in an attempt to contain the spread.

The Guardian

Almost immediately he commenced efforts to contain the spread of communism in Thailand.

Britannica

Facebook has also been criticized for failing to contain the spread of fake news.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Only a global effort can contain the spread of the disease, he said.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Early detection of these pathogens to prevent, treat and contain the spread of infections is crucial.

Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing abstract concepts like misinformation or ideologies, use "contain the spread" to emphasize the act of limiting their influence or reach. For example, "The initiative aims to "contain the spread" of misinformation online."

Common error

Avoid using "contain the spread" when a more specific verb would be more appropriate. For instance, instead of saying "contain the spread" of a fire, use "extinguish the fire" to convey a more precise action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contain the spread" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "contain" acts as the verb and "the spread" as the direct object. It describes an action taken to control or limit the extent of something. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is valid and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "contain the spread" is a versatile and widely used expression, primarily functioning as a verb phrase to describe efforts to limit the expansion of something, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It is grammatically sound and appropriate for various contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific and academic writing. While highly common, it's important to consider more specific verbs when describing concrete actions. As demonstrated in Ludwig's examples, it's valuable for describing strategies to control diseases, misinformation, and even ideologies. Remember to consider alternatives like "limit the propagation" or "curb the expansion" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

curb the expansion

Replaces "contain" with "curb" and "spread" with "expansion", focusing on limiting growth.

limit the propagation

Substitutes "contain" with "limit" and "spread" with "propagation", emphasizing restriction of dissemination.

control the proliferation

Replaces "contain" with "control" and "spread" with "proliferation", highlighting the management of rapid increase.

restrict the advancement

Changes "contain" to "restrict" and "spread" to "advancement", stressing the prevention of forward movement.

halt the dissemination

Replaces "contain" with "halt" and "spread" with "dissemination", focusing on stopping the act of spreading.

suppress the outbreak

Uses "suppress" instead of "contain" and "outbreak" instead of "spread", particularly relevant in contexts like disease control.

inhibit the escalation

Substitutes "contain" with "inhibit" and "spread" with "escalation", indicating the prevention of increasing intensity.

manage the distribution

Replaces "contain" with "manage" and "spread" with "distribution", emphasizing the controlled handling of dispersal.

mitigate the reach

Changes "contain" to "mitigate" and "spread" to "reach", focusing on lessening the extent of influence.

arrest the development

Uses "arrest" instead of "contain" and "development" instead of "spread", referring to stopping the progress of something.

FAQs

How can I use "contain the spread" in a sentence?

Use "contain the spread" when you want to express the idea of limiting or preventing something from expanding or disseminating. For example, "The new policies are designed to "curb the spread" of the virus."

What are some alternatives to saying "contain the spread"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "limit the propagation", "control the proliferation", or "restrict the advancement" instead of "contain the spread".

Is it better to say "contain the spread" or "limit the spread"?

Both "contain the spread" and "limit the spread" are grammatically correct and widely understood. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey; "contain" suggests holding something within boundaries, while "limit" focuses on reducing its extent.

What is the difference between "contain the spread" and "stop the spread"?

"Contain the spread" implies controlling or managing the expansion, while "stop the spread" suggests a complete cessation. The former is often used when total prevention is not immediately possible, while the latter indicates a more definitive halt.