dispersed among

USAGE SUMMARY

"dispersed among" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to mean that something has been divided among multiple people or places. Example: The donations were dispersed among the various charities.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Dispersed among them are marsupials and birds.

The Guardian

Then the crowd dispersed among the exhibits.

The New York Times

Power is dispersed among the following incumbents: The Kremlin.

The Economist

The increase in the Asian population was widely dispersed among suburban counties.

The New York Times

Most important, the love of Cinderella and the Prince is dispersed among the others.

The New Yorker

A collection of early American flags was dispersed among the owner's friends.

The New Yorker

As a result, revelations devoted to a single topic may be dispersed among several different suras.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The losses from a default are now dispersed among countless investors.

The Economist

Furthermore, the neighborhood is crisscrossed by busy thoroughfares, and the galleries are widely dispersed among all kinds of nonart businesses.

The New York Times - Arts

Today, the city is so expensive that the real Bohemians are dispersed among disparate, far-flung neighborhoods.

The New York Times - Books

The vast majority were women and girls, many of whom were raped, sold and dispersed among fighters.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "dispersed among", ensure that the subject being dispersed can logically be distributed or scattered within the specified group or area. For example, it works well with populations, resources, or ideas.

Common error

Avoid using "dispersed among" with subjects that cannot be logically distributed. For example, it would be incorrect to say "the happiness was dispersed among the crowd" because happiness is an abstract concept and is not a thing you distribute physically.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dispersed among" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate how something is distributed within a group or area. Ludwig examples show it describing the distribution of populations, objects, and even abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dispersed among" is a versatile and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to describe the distribution of elements within a group or space. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It enjoys very common usage, especially within News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science contexts, lending itself to both formal and informal registers. Remember to use it with distributable subjects and consider synonyms like "scattered within" or "spread throughout" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scattered within

Focuses on the randomness of the distribution, implying a less organized arrangement than "dispersed among".

spread throughout

Emphasizes the extent of the distribution, suggesting a wider coverage than "dispersed among".

distributed within

Highlights a more controlled or intentional allocation compared to the more general "dispersed among".

interspersed within

Implies a regular or alternating arrangement, suggesting elements are placed at intervals, unlike the more random "dispersed among".

strewn among

Suggests a more haphazard or careless distribution, contrasting with the neutral tone of "dispersed among".

mixed within

Focuses on the blending or combining aspect of the distribution, implying a closer integration than "dispersed among".

dotted throughout

Implies a scattered arrangement of small points or objects, suggesting a smaller scale than "dispersed among".

littered among

Suggests a negative connotation of untidiness and disorder, unlike the more neutral "dispersed among".

sprinkled within

Implies a light and delicate distribution, suggesting a finer scale than "dispersed among".

permeated throughout

Suggests a thorough and pervasive spread, implying a deeper penetration than "dispersed among".

FAQs

How is "dispersed among" used in a sentence?

The phrase "dispersed among" indicates that something is scattered or distributed within a group or area. For example, "The crowd "dispersed among" the exhibits."

What are some alternatives to "dispersed among"?

Alternatives include "scattered within", "spread throughout", or "distributed within", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "dispersed between" instead of "dispersed among"?

While "between" is used for two items, "among" is used for three or more. So, use "dispersed among" when referring to distribution within a group of three or more.

What is the difference between "dispersed among" and "scattered among"?

While both suggest spreading, "scattered among" often implies a more random or haphazard distribution, while "dispersed among" can suggest a more organized or even distribution. The best choice depends on the specific context.