distribute

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'distribute' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the action of dividing and sharing something. For example: "The teacher distributed the exam papers among the students."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Catholic Education NT referred questions to the bishops conference, which told Guardian Australia each bishop has discretion over its distribution and circulation, with some choosing to distribute to schools in their diocese.

The Guardian

"This acquisition allows us to secure a large, global platform on which to distribute our increasingly successful original programming through a collection of strong, well-established and well-managed assets worldwide".

The New York Times

"They distribute it in proportion to the number of seats the party won at the last election.

The Guardian

The former Ukip candidate also claims that the new Conservative MP, whom he has known for about 30 years, handed him a leaflet template attacking Labour's record on immigration that he recommended Rose distribute in the areas of the constituency he highlighted as being home to potential Labour/Ukip swing voters.

The Guardian

"I figured I could do the same work I was doing at the UN by ensuring that cheese makers in Mexico had a place to distribute their cheese.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Attaching an author addendum to your publishing agreement is a great way to publish where you want while still retaining the right to openly distribute your work.

The Guardian

How can I responsibly distribute this ill-gotten gain?

The Guardian - Opinion

"It's inevitable that web series will mirror film and split into two camps – indie web series creators who produce and distribute on their own, and "studio" web series creators who produce content for online channels.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Having cleaned out their balance sheets, the government could then put them up for sale, or even distribute shares to all taxpayers.

The Guardian - Opinion

After that I started to go to Idlib, Raqqa and Qalamoun by myself to distribute the aid.

The Guardian

Then season to taste with sea salt – it will take a lot of salt – and freshly ground pepper and give the bottle a good shake to distribute the seasoning.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "distribute", consider the context and ensure the object being distributed aligns with the verb's meaning of dividing and allocating.

Common error

Avoid using incorrect prepositions with "distribute". For example, it's more appropriate to say "distribute the information to the team" rather than "distribute the information among the team" when referring to a specific group.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "distribute" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating what is being divided or shared. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment and the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The verb "distribute" is commonly used across various contexts to describe the act of dividing and sharing something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. As seen in numerous examples, "distribute" appears frequently in news, business, and scientific domains. While alternatives like "allocate", "dispense", and "apportion" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to use the correct preposition ("to" for specific recipients, "among" for multiple entities) and consider the context to ensure clarity. The sources used here reinforce the common and accepted usage of "distribute" in formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

allocate

Emphasizes a formal or official assignment of something.

dispense

Suggests giving out something, often in measured portions.

apportion

Implies dividing and assigning something proportionally.

circulate

Focuses on the widespread dissemination of something.

spread

Highlights the act of scattering or extending something over an area.

allot

Suggests giving someone their share of something.

deal out

Implies a casual or informal distribution.

hand out

Focuses on the direct giving of something to individuals.

mete out

Suggests dispensing something, often punishment or justice.

parcel out

Implies dividing something into portions for distribution.

FAQs

How to use "distribute" in a sentence?

You can use "distribute" to describe dividing and sharing something, like "The organization will "distribute" food to the needy".

What can I say instead of "distribute"?

You can use alternatives like "allocate", "dispense", or "apportion" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "distribute to" or "distribute among"?

"Distribute to" is used when giving to specific entities or groups, while "distribute among" is used when dividing between multiple entities. For example, "distribute the funds to the schools" versus "distribute the funds among the students".

What's the difference between "distribute" and "disseminate"?

"Distribute" generally means to divide and give out, while "disseminate" implies spreading information or knowledge widely.