disperse into

USAGE SUMMARY

"disperse into" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that is spreading apart into different parts. For example: "The crowd of protestors soon dispersed into smaller groups as they left the square."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

True, the dancers did disperse into couples regularly.

The New York Times - Arts

He waited for the people around him to disperse into smaller groups.

The New Yorker

After a few moments, they began to disperse into the dark.

The New Yorker

If they disperse into other properties, they are accused of taking over the neighborhood.

The New York Times

Eggs hatch within several weeks, and the spiderlings disperse into the water.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Ms. Hmad gives out a low cackle, and the women disperse into individual gibbering.

The New York Times - Arts

The song turns the crowd-control phrase "please disperse" into a lordly rap star's insistence on sex with his groupies.

The New York Times - Magazine

The animals are led out a side door; the actors disperse into a crowd of waiting parents.

The New York Times

The factory workers see the car and begin to disperse into the streets of fish, but they needn't worry, the cops are just thirsty.

The Guardian

The dyer's elbow follows it in, the dyer's arm, the dyer's whole body: plop into the vat, to disperse into my attention to the thing being made.

The Guardian - Books

In no time, however, the stars, writers and directors began to disperse into other areas of the entertainment industry or to cross over into Broadway Heaven.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "disperse into" when you want to emphasize the action of something spreading out from a central point and becoming integrated or distributed within a specific area or medium. For example, use it to describe crowds breaking up into smaller groups, or substances dissolving in a solution.

Common error

Avoid using "disperse into" when the subject is not actually spreading within something. For instance, saying "The birds dispersed to the sky" is incorrect; "disperse" alone suffices because the birds are moving away from a point, not into something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "disperse into" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating the process of scattering or spreading something throughout a particular area or medium. It describes how something moves from a concentrated state to a more diffused state. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

27%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "disperse into" is a phrasal verb that aptly describes the act of scattering or spreading something within a defined space. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is grammatically sound and very common across diverse contexts, including news, science, encyclopedias and wikis. While alternatives like "scatter into" or "spread into" exist, "disperse into" offers a specific emphasis on the action of spreading and integrating within a particular area or medium. Remembering that it describes a movement from a concentrated state to a diffused state may also help.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scatter into

Emphasizes a more random and less organized spreading.

spread into

Focuses on the expansion and reach of something within a space.

dissipate into

Suggests a gradual fading or vanishing as it spreads.

diffuse into

Highlights the blending and intermingling of something within a medium.

permeate into

Implies a thorough penetration and saturation.

infiltrate into

Conveys a sense of entering gradually or stealthily.

seep into

Suggests a slow and gradual movement into something.

penetrate into

Focuses on the act of entering or piercing through something.

merge into

Emphasizes the blending and combining of something into a larger entity.

branch out into

Focuses on expansion into new areas or directions.

FAQs

How can I use "disperse into" in a sentence?

You can use "disperse into" to describe the action of something spreading out and becoming distributed within a particular space or substance. For example: "The crowd began to "disperse into" smaller groups" or "The dye will "disperse into" the water".

What are some alternatives to "disperse into"?

Some alternatives to "disperse into" include "scatter into", "spread into", "dissipate into", or "diffuse into". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "disperse in" instead of "disperse into"?

While "disperse" can sometimes be used with "in", "disperse into" is more precise when you want to emphasize the action of something spreading within a defined space or substance. "Disperse in" may be more appropriate when the destination is less specific.

What is the difference between "disperse into" and "divide into"?

"Disperse into" implies a spreading or scattering effect, whereas "divide into" suggests a more organized separation into distinct groups or parts. For example, a crowd might "disperse into" smaller groups, but a class might "divide into" project teams.