have been spread

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been spread" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe the act of spreading something (typically information) to multiple people or places over a period of time. Example sentence: Rumors of a new project have been spread throughout the office.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"But they have been spread out and kind of sporadic.

The New York Times

Just that they have been spread far and wide.

The Guardian - Opinion

The deaths have been spread across the coast.

The New York Times

Nearly all SARS cases in Toronto have been spread from hospitals or within families.

The New York Times

The risk may have been spread, but the price of the risk was badly underestimated.

The Guardian - Opinion

Hungry babies have been spread throughout the cabin, so please assist them before you assist yourself.

The New Yorker

It is thought to have been spread from neighbouring European countries by wild ducks.

The Guardian

The most tolerant strains of Islam have been spread through merchant trade rather than military conquest.

The New York Times

Some technologies, such as operating systems and cloud infrastructure, have been spread across divisions.

The Economist

He said: "Our goals have been spread out in various ways in our squad.

Independent

Doctors, nurses and the entire NHS staff have been spread incredibly thin.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been spread", ensure that the subject is something that can logically be distributed, such as information, resources, or influence. Avoid using it with subjects that are inherently singular or indivisible.

Common error

Avoid overusing the passive voice with "have been spread" when an active voice construction would be clearer and more direct. For example, instead of "Rumors have been spread by the media", consider "The media spread rumors".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been spread" functions as a passive voice construction in the present perfect tense. This indicates that an action of spreading or distributing has been completed, and its effects are still relevant. As Ludwig AI indicates, this is a correct and usable English phrase. It is often used to describe the dissemination of information, ideas, or physical objects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

36%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been spread" is a grammatically sound and commonly used passive voice construction in the present perfect tense. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for describing a completed action of distribution or dissemination. It is frequently encountered in news, media, and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the subject is logically something that can be spread and avoid overusing the passive voice when an active construction would be clearer. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "have been spread" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been distributed

Replaces "spread" with "distributed", focusing on the act of giving portions to multiple recipients.

have been disseminated

Uses "disseminated" to emphasize the wide and extensive scattering of information or something else.

have been circulated

Suggests a movement or passing around of something among a group.

have been propagated

Implies a deliberate effort to reproduce or increase something's reach.

have been diffused

Highlights the process of something becoming less concentrated and more widely dispersed.

have been scattered

Focuses on the irregular or random distribution of something.

have been transmitted

Emphasizes the act of passing something, like a disease or information, from one entity to another.

have been extended

Suggests the act of stretching or making something available over a larger area or group.

have been dispersed

Similar to scattered, but often implies a more forceful or intentional spreading.

have been conveyed

Focuses on communicating or imparting something, such as information or a message.

FAQs

How is "have been spread" used in a sentence?

"Have been spread" indicates that something has been distributed or disseminated widely. For instance, "Rumors "have been spread" throughout the company" shows the rumors have reached many people.

What are some alternatives to "have been spread"?

Alternatives include "have been distributed", "have been disseminated", or "have been circulated", each carrying slightly different nuances.

Is it correct to say "has been spread" instead of "have been spread"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "has been spread" for singular subjects (e.g., "The rumor has been spread"), and "have been spread" for plural subjects (e.g., "The rumors have been spread").

What's the difference between "have been spread" and "have spread"?

"Have been spread" is in the passive voice, indicating that the subject is acted upon. "Have spread" is in the active voice, indicating the subject is performing the action. For example, "Rumors "have been spread"" (passive) versus "They have spread rumors" (active).