distribute among

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "distribute among" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate that something is being shared or divided equally among a specific group of people or things. For example, "We will distribute the food among our team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

They are organising food parcels to distribute among the refugees either weekly or monthly.

The Guardian

MI5 used him to orchestrate arms shipments from South Africa to distribute among loyalists.

The Guardian - Opinion

Toss with the salad until thoroughly coated, and distribute among six salad plates.

The New York Times

D.T.W. is developing a plan to offer times in its theater when dancers can videotape pieces to distribute among producers.

The New York Times - Arts

My husband is involved in a committee which collects money to distribute among the people who are in need.

The Guardian

"We have never determined the relevant 'population' that states and localities must equally distribute among their districts," he wrote.

The New York Times

He even steals Elvis records from the PX to distribute among the German poor (he's under the influence of a Marxist social studies teacher).

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Those will be eventually distributed among students.

The New York Times

Power is widely distributed among many rising nations.

The New York Times

Nor are placenames evenly distributed among regions and countries.

The Guardian

They will be distributed among up-state reservoirs.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "distribute among" when allocation is relatively equitable; for disproportionate allocations use another phrase like "give some to".

Common error

Avoid using "between" when referring to more than two recipients. "Among" is appropriate when the distribution involves three or more entities, while "between" is used for exactly two. For example, "distribute among the team members" is correct, but "distribute between the team members" is not.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "distribute among" is a verb phrase acting as a transitive verb with a prepositional phrase. It expresses the action of allocating or spreading something within a defined group. Examples in Ludwig show it used with objects like "food parcels", "money", and "medicines".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

32%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "distribute among" is a versatile expression indicating the act of allocating or sharing something within a group. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely accepted. With a "Very common" frequency across various sources, especially in the realms of "News & Media" and "Science", this phrase effectively communicates dissemination or allocation. When using "distribute among", ensure you are clearly defining both the items being distributed and the group of recipients. Avoid using "between" in place of "among" when you refer to 3 or more recipients. Consider alternatives like "share amongst" or "allocate between" depending on the specific nuance you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

share amongst

Uses a less common synonym for "among" which may sound slightly more formal or archaic.

allocate between

Focuses on the division process between two or more entities.

divide between

Highlights the act of splitting something into portions for separate entities.

apportion to

Emphasizes a planned or calculated distribution to specific recipients.

ration out

Highlights a controlled distribution, often due to scarcity.

deal out to

Implies a more casual or random act of giving to a group.

disperse within

Emphasizes spreading out within a confined area or group.

spread through

Focuses on the dispersion of something within a larger group or system.

mete out

Suggests a measured or deserved allocation, often of something negative.

scatter across

Suggests a less organized or even distribution, often over a wide area.

FAQs

How do I use "distribute among" in a sentence?

Use "distribute among" to indicate the act of sharing or allocating something to multiple recipients. For example, "The organization will distribute resources among the affected families."

What are some alternatives to "distribute among"?

You can use alternatives like "share amongst", "allocate between", or "divide between" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "distribute between" when referring to more than two entities?

No, it's more appropriate to use "distribute among" when referring to more than two entities. "Between" is typically used when referring to exactly two entities. "Distribute among" is the correct choice in such cases.

What's the difference between "distribute among" and "allocate to"?

"Distribute among" suggests a more even or general sharing, while "allocate to" implies a more directed or specific assignment. For example, you might "distribute flyers among the crowd" but "allocate funds to specific projects".