has gone viral

USAGE SUMMARY

"has gone viral" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe when something - such as a video, meme or story - has been shared very quickly and widely on the internet. For example: "The video of the singing cat has gone viral and been viewed by millions of people."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Bumbaclot' has gone viral.

Independent

Now Thailand has gone viral.

The New York Times

Religious faith has gone viral.

The Guardian - Books

His defiance has gone viral.

The Guardian

Going viral has gone viral.

The Guardian

Her campaign has gone viral.

The Guardian - Opinion

On the Internet he has gone viral.

The New York Times - Arts

From there, it has gone viral.

The Guardian

A recording has gone viral on YouTube.

The Guardian

A video of the incident has gone viral.

The Guardian - Opinion

The artwork has gone viral on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has gone viral" when you want to emphasize the rapid and widespread dissemination of information or content, particularly on the internet and social media. It's appropriate for describing videos, memes, news, and trends.

Common error

Avoid using "has gone viral" in highly formal or academic writing where a more neutral or precise term might be more suitable. For example, use "has become widespread" or "has gained significant attention" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has gone viral" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating that a subject has achieved widespread and rapid dissemination, especially through online platforms. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has gone viral" is a commonly used phrase that describes the rapid and widespread dissemination of information or content, especially on the internet. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While it's suitable for most contexts, including news and general conversation, it might be too informal for highly academic or business writing. Consider alternatives like ""has spread rapidly"" or "has become widespread" in more formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has spread rapidly

Focuses on the speed of dissemination rather than the medium.

has become widespread

Highlights the extent of the spread, emphasizing broad reach.

has gained traction

Implies increasing popularity and momentum.

has taken off

Suggests a sudden and rapid increase in popularity.

has exploded in popularity

Emphasizes the dramatic and sudden nature of the increase in popularity.

is trending

Focuses on current popularity, particularly on social media.

is making waves

Suggests a significant impact and widespread attention.

is all the rage

Indicates something is currently very popular and fashionable.

is making the rounds

Implies that information is circulating widely.

is catching on

Suggests growing acceptance and adoption.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "has gone viral"?

When something "has gone viral", it means it "has spread rapidly" and widely across the internet, especially through social media, email, and other online platforms.

What can I say instead of "has gone viral"?

You can use alternatives like ""has spread rapidly"", "has become widespread", or "is trending depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "has gone viral" in formal writing?

While "has gone viral" is widely understood, it's generally more appropriate for informal contexts. In formal writing, consider using alternatives like "has gained significant attention" or "has become widespread".

What kind of content typically "has gone viral"?

Content that "has gone viral" is usually engaging, entertaining, informative, or emotionally resonant. This can include videos, memes, news stories, and social media posts that are easily shared and appeal to a wide audience.