has been spread

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been spread" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a passive construction, indicating that something (the subject of the sentence) has been spread by someone or something else (the agent). Example: The rumor has been spread by malicious individuals, causing harm to the reputation of the company.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(Hitherto, this task has been spread among several people).

The Economist

The pool of elite players has been spread thin.

The New York Times - Sports

Without him, the scoring load has been spread around.

The New York Times - Sports

Polymethyl methacrylate has been spread on a 0.1% (w/v) aqueous solution of polyethylene oxide.

Polymer

The money has been spread across an array of agencies charged with fighting the drug war.

The New York Times

The job growth this year has been spread through almost every sector.

The New York Times

Ms. Grace's devotion has been spread across almost all the hours of the day on HLN.

The New York Times

In recent years, Canada's energy wealth has been spread around a bit.

The New York Times

I'm still in touch with people, but it's much harder work – everyone has been spread apart.

The Guardian

A malignant rumor has been spread that while in France he has corresponded with the British ministry.

Columbia University

Hyacinthoides hispanica arrived on our shores 300 years ago and has been spread inadvertently by gardeners ever since.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been spread", ensure the subject clearly indicates what is being dispersed or disseminated. For instance, "The news has been spread" is more effective than "It has been spread".

Common error

Avoid using "has been spread" with plural subjects. For example, instead of "Rumors has been spread", use "Rumors have been spread".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been spread" functions as a passive voice construction within a sentence. It indicates that the subject of the sentence has undergone the action of being spread by an external agent, whether specified or implied. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been spread" is a grammatically sound and commonly used passive construction that describes the dissemination or propagation of something. As validated by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for a wide range of contexts, from news reporting to scientific writing. While generally neutral in register, its specific nuance can vary depending on the surrounding vocabulary. When using "has been spread", ensure clear subject-verb agreement and consider related phrases like "has been disseminated" or "has been circulated" for alternative phrasing. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources, with substantial representation in scientific and academic writing as well.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been disseminated

Focuses on the act of distributing widely, often information or knowledge; emphasizes a formal or official spreading.

has been propagated

Implies the spreading or reproduction of something, like a belief or idea; often used in a more deliberate or controlled manner.

has been circulated

Suggests something is passed around among people or within a group; emphasizes the process of moving from person to person.

has been diffused

Indicates a gradual spreading out, often from a central point; implies a less concentrated distribution.

has been transmitted

Highlights the passing on of something, often a disease or signal; emphasizes the transfer from one source to another.

has been scattered

Implies a random or uneven distribution, often resulting in a sparse covering.

has been broadcast

Focuses on a wide, public distribution, often through media like radio or television.

has been dispersed

Indicates the action of scattering something, often to break up a concentration or gathering.

has been extended

Refers to the act of making something longer or wider in space or time; suggests an increase in scope or reach.

has been circulated widely

Emphasizes that something has been passed around to a great extent, implying a high degree of distribution.

FAQs

How can I use "has been spread" in a sentence?

Use "has been spread" to describe the dispersal or dissemination of something. For example, "The information "has been spread" rapidly through social media".

What are some alternatives to "has been spread"?

You can use alternatives like "has been disseminated", "has been circulated", or "has been propagated" depending on the context.

Is "has been spread" formal or informal?

"Has been spread" is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The level of formality depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.

What's the difference between "has been spread" and "is spreading"?

"Has been spread" indicates a completed action, while "is spreading" describes an ongoing action. For example, "The rumor "has been spread"" means the rumor has already been disseminated, while "The rumor is spreading" means it is currently being disseminated.