dispersion

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'dispersion' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the spreading out of something over a large area or across a period of time. For example, "The dispersion of the population across the county is uneven."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, the dispersion of Labour's vote, and the party's inability once again to attract C1 voters (the Tories enjoy a 12-point lead with what is the country's largest chunk of the total electorate, remaining fundamentally unchanged since 2010), implies that there isn't one straightforward answer to what approach Labour should take between now and the next election.

The Guardian

From these surveys they created a "belief dispersion index", which shows when views on the economic outlook are most divided.

The Economist

That was then compared with the views of professional forecasters, as revealed in various surveys.Strikingly, the researchers find that the views of retail investors show a sharp rise in dispersion just before recessions, whereas the views of professional forecasters do not diverge until the tail end of recessions.

The Economist

The buoyant economy has also fostered a widening dispersion in earnings, as rewards for the highest-paid have risen especially fast.

The Economist

Lending to firms dropped by 2.5% in the euro area but that overall figure masks a wide dispersion.

The Economist

The ECB regards 2% as its ceiling.Disperse and ruleThe appropriate inflation goal for the euro should in any case be higher than for the United States, because of Europe's wider dispersion of inflation rates.

The Economist

The assurance that an AAA rating offered, the unquestioning belief in the rise of national house prices in America and the faith in risk dispersion through securitisation all had pernicious effects.

The Economist

Indeed this decade has seen the widest dispersion of wealth since the 1920s; it's not exactly been a triumph for trickle-down economics, has it?

The Economist

Wrong-headed assumptions about risk dispersion will be less easily made.

The Economist

The winds on which their dispersion relies are fickle.

The Economist

This explains the wide dispersion of prices for bottled water, for instance: in some countries it is a basic good, in others it is more of a luxury.Variations in local demand also account for the big differences in the prices of books and magazines.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing data, use "dispersion" to refer to the degree of scatter or variability within the dataset. For example, analyze the "dispersion" of test scores to understand the range of student performance.

Common error

Avoid using "dispersion" and dispersal interchangeably. While both relate to spreading, "dispersion" often refers to the state of being scattered or the degree of variability, while dispersal is more about the act or process of scattering.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "dispersion" is that of a noun. It represents the state of being dispersed or the act of dispersing. Ludwig AI identifies its usage across varied contexts like vote analysis, economic indices, and wealth distribution as exemplified by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Reference

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dispersion" functions as a noun to denote the state or act of spreading out, with notable applications across news, scientific, and formal business contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is grammatically sound and appropriate for diverse writing needs. To ensure clarity, differentiate "dispersion" from similar terms like dispersal. As shown by the provided examples, "dispersion" appears in economics, physics, and political science. Remember, choosing the correct term will give greater nuance and accuracy in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scattering

Focuses on the act of something being spread or thrown around randomly.

distribution

Emphasizes the arrangement or allocation of something across an area or group.

spread

Highlights the extent to which something covers or affects an area.

diffusion

Implies a gradual spreading out or intermingling.

dissemination

Focuses on the act of spreading information or ideas widely.

proliferation

Suggests a rapid increase or spread.

radiation

Indicates spreading outwards from a central point.

propagation

Emphasizes the reproduction or spreading of something, often in a biological context.

dissipation

Implies a gradual disappearance or fading away through spreading out.

divergence

Focuses on the act of moving in different directions from a common point.

FAQs

How is "dispersion" used in scientific contexts?

In scientific contexts, "dispersion" often refers to the spreading of substances or data. For instance, in ecology, it might describe the spatial "distribution" of a population. In physics, it can refer to the separation of light into its constituent colors.

What's the difference between "dispersion" and "diffusion"?

"Dispersion" generally implies a scattering or spreading out, while "diffusion" specifically suggests a gradual mixing or intermingling. "Diffusion" often involves movement from an area of high concentration to low concentration, whereas "dispersion" does not necessarily imply this.

Can "dispersion" be used in financial contexts?

Yes, in finance, "dispersion" can describe the range or variability of returns, prices, or other financial metrics. For example, analysts might examine the "spread" of analyst forecasts to gauge the level of agreement or disagreement about a company's future performance.

What are some synonyms for "dispersion" that I can use in writing?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms such as "scattering", "distribution", "spread", "diffusion", or "dissemination". Choose the word that best fits the specific nuance you want to convey.