extremely widespread

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "extremely widespread" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is very common or prevalent in a particular area or among a certain group. Example: "The use of smartphones has become extremely widespread in today's society, affecting how we communicate and access information."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The changes are extremely widespread.

The New York Times

"I found adulteration is extremely widespread: urea, soap powder, starch are very popular additives".

The New York Times

Patricia J. Lancaster, the buildings commissioner, said that the use of spray-on fireproofing was extremely widespread in the city.

The New York Times

As he put it to me earlier today: "Baroness Greenfield has a theory that computers – which are extremely widespread – pose a serious environmental hazard to children.

The Guardian

He said that he had never used steroids himself, but that use of steroids at Plano West was "extremely widespread" before Taylor's death.

The New York Times - Sports

I became involved in 1997-98 when there was extremely widespread coral bleaching around all the oceans in the tropics," he said.

The Guardian

The use of force to extract confessions is still extremely widespread in Russia, and is rarely taken seriously even when its bruises are visible and medically proven.

The Guardian

"Depending on who you ask, overclassification is either very widespread or extremely widespread," said Steven Aftergood, an expert on government secrecy at the Federation of American Scientists.

The New York Times

The coverage is not included in most policies, he said, because, while major power losses are infrequent, they can be extremely widespread -- as the latest one has been -- and can result in gargantuan losses.

The New York Times

Activists for women's rights claim that only 30 percent of acid cases are reported and that this form of violence is extremely widespread because acid is easily available and inexpensive.

The New York Times

These forms are extremely widespread and are reported as far as latitude 87° S. In addition, Antarctic seas are highly productive in plankton plant life, particularly in near-shore, nutrient-rich zones of upwelling.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "extremely widespread", ensure that the context clearly supports the assertion of high prevalence. Use it when you want to emphasize the scale and scope of something.

Common error

Avoid using "extremely widespread" too frequently in your writing. Overusing intensifiers can weaken your message. Consider using synonyms or rephrasing sentences to provide variety and maintain impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extremely widespread" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to describe its prevalence or extent. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples, it commonly describes phenomena, practices, or distributions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

51%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "extremely widespread" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adjectival phrase that emphasizes the broad reach and common occurrence of something. According to Ludwig's analysis, it's particularly common in science and news contexts, indicating a formal yet accessible register. While alternatives like "highly prevalent" and "very common" exist, "extremely widespread" underscores a significant prevalence. Remember to avoid overuse and ensure the context justifies the strong assertion of widespread occurrence. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity and usability across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highly prevalent

This alternative focuses on the common occurrence of something, slightly diminishing the emphasis on scale compared to "extremely widespread".

prevalent

A general term for something common; lacks the intensity of "extremely".

very common

This is a more basic and general way of expressing that something is widespread, losing some of the intensity conveyed by "extremely widespread".

widely diffused

This phrase emphasizes the spread or distribution of something, rather than just its commonness; more formal tone.

broadly distributed

Highlights the range of distribution, focusing on geographical or demographic spread, rather than commonality.

extensively distributed

Focuses on the comprehensive nature of the distribution but not necessarily the frequency.

rampant

This suggests something is spreading uncontrollably and often negatively. Implies a problem.

commonplace

This suggests ordinariness, where something is neither surprising nor exceptional; less impactful.

pervasive

This implies something is subtly present throughout, influencing everything it touches; less about sheer numbers.

ubiquitous

This means something is seemingly everywhere at once; very formal and sometimes hyperbolic.

FAQs

How to use "extremely widespread" in a sentence?

Use "extremely widespread" to describe phenomena, practices, or conditions that are very common or prevalent. For example, "The use of mobile technology is "extremely widespread" among young adults."

What can I say instead of "extremely widespread"?

You can use alternatives like "highly prevalent", "very common", or "widely diffused" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "very extremely widespread"?

Yes, "very extremely widespread" is redundant. The word "extremely" already intensifies "widespread", so adding "very" is unnecessary and grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "extremely widespread" and "somewhat widespread"?

"Extremely widespread" indicates a very high degree of prevalence, while "somewhat widespread" suggests that something is present to a noticeable extent but not overwhelmingly common. The choice depends on the accuracy of the description you want to convey.