how widespread are

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "how widespread are" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when inquiring about the extent or prevalence of something in a particular context. Example: "How widespread are the effects of climate change on global agriculture?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

How widespread are such practices?

The Economist

How widespread are LGBT groups within public services?

The Guardian

But how widespread are such crimes in the two countries?

The New York Times

Overview | How widespread are sexual harassment and sexual violence among teenagers today, and what role is social media playing?

The New York Times

Nearly every week for the last several months, the government and China's state-controlled media have provided more evidence of how widespread are the quality and safety problems in this country, despite signs of progress in many areas of commerce.

The New York Times

How widespread are sanctions violations?

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

How widespread is it?

Independent

How widespread is modern slavery?

The Guardian - Opinion

How widespread was the movement?

The New Yorker

How widespread is night working?

Independent

"How widespread was that?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "how widespread are", ensure that the subject you are referring to is clearly defined. For instance, instead of asking "How widespread are issues?", specify the type of issues: "How widespread are quality issues in the supply chain?"

Common error

Avoid using "how widespread are" with an overly broad or undefined subject. This can lead to ambiguity. Instead of asking "How widespread are problems?", specify: "How widespread are technical problems with the new software update?"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how widespread are" functions as an interrogative clause, specifically designed to elicit information about the extent, distribution, or prevalence of a particular phenomenon. Ludwig confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "how widespread are" is a grammatically sound and commonly used interrogative clause, primarily used to inquire about the extent or prevalence of something. Ludwig confirms its correctness and utility across diverse contexts. The phrase is most frequently encountered in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. To maximize clarity, ensure the subject of the inquiry is well-defined. Alternatives like "how extensive are" and "how prevalent are" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. When writing, avoid using overly broad subjects, which can lead to ambiguity. The phrase is considered to be of neutral to professional formality, as reflected in its presence in various authoritative sources such as The New York Times and BBC.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how extensive are

Replaces "widespread" with "extensive", focusing on the breadth and reach.

how prevalent are

Substitutes "widespread" with "prevalent", emphasizing common occurrence.

to what extent are

Offers a more formal way of asking about the degree or scope.

how common are

Uses "common" instead of "widespread", simplifying the inquiry.

how far-reaching are

Replaces "widespread" with "far-reaching", highlighting the impact or influence.

how often do we see

Changes the structure to focus on the frequency of observation.

what is the scope of

Shifts to inquire about the range or boundary of something.

how much of an issue is

Focuses on the degree to which something is problematic.

what is the distribution of

Uses a more technical term, "distribution", suitable for statistical or scientific contexts.

how deeply ingrained is

Explores how deeply rooted or established something is within a system or society.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "how widespread are"?

You can use alternatives such as "how extensive are", "how prevalent are", or "to what extent are" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "how widespread are"?

Yes, "how widespread are" is grammatically correct. It is used to inquire about the degree or extent to which something occurs or exists.

What is a common mistake when using "how widespread are"?

A common mistake is using it with a vague or undefined subject. Ensure the subject is specific and clear to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "How widespread are problems?", ask "How widespread are technical problems?"

How does the meaning of "how widespread are" differ from "how common are"?

While similar, "how widespread are" often implies a geographical or distributional aspect, whereas "how common are" simply refers to frequency or usualness.