increase the spread

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "increase the spread" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts such as finance, statistics, or discussions about the distribution of data or resources. Example: "To improve our investment strategy, we need to increase the spread between our highest and lowest performing assets."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I feel that such habits increase the spread of cholera in Mabella," Kamara said.

The Guardian

The quieter passages are boosted to increase the spread between the signal (desired sound) and the unwanted ground noise.

Encyclopedia Britannica

According to the World Health Organisation, the heavy rains expected from El Niño in Peru, Ecuador, Paraguay and southern Brazil could increase the spread of the Zika virus.

The Guardian

Those realities made it shocking that George W. Bush, in his first major decision as president, took an action that will increase the spread of AIDS.

The New York Times

A new study raises the possibility that off-road activities increase the spread of the deadly hantavirus in mice that live near such popular recreation areas.

The New York Times - Health

Gordon Brown wanted to free up the cash to increase the spread of nursery places for two-year-olds in poorer families.

The Guardian

That could mean that people would not be quick to recognise they had Ebola and were infectious, which could increase the spread.

The Guardian

Maulana Sufi Muhammad, who helped negotiate the accord for the militants, said the government had violated the peace agreement and warned that continuing the military operations would further inflame the militants and increase the spread of the Taliban.

The New York Times

If their rants are being read by those who would otherwise read nothing, they may even increase the spread of knowledge.It is hard, though, to sustain such a sanguine view.

The Economist

"The government should work with unions and employers to increase the spread of the living wage, lift the cap on public sector pay and recognise that the wages of millions of workers across the economy have been falling in real terms and now need a decent increase".

The Guardian

As Hurricane Isaac flooded parts of southeastern Louisiana, Dr. Lyle R. Petersen, director of the C.D.C.'s Division of Vector-borne Infectious Diseases, told reporters on Wednesday that the storm was not expected to increase the spread of the disease in Louisiana and the other states in its path.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "increase the spread", ensure the context clearly defines what is being spread and the implications of its increased distribution. For example, "increase the spread of knowledge" is more effective if the specific knowledge domain is identified.

Common error

Avoid using "increase the spread" in contexts where the subject is undesirable and increasing its distribution would be negative. For instance, while it's appropriate to "increase the spread of awareness", it would be inappropriate to say "increase the spread of misinformation".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "increase the spread" functions primarily as a verb phrase, often used transitively to describe the action of making something more widely distributed or prevalent. Ludwig AI confirms this through its numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "increase the spread" is a versatile and commonly used verb phrase that describes the action of expanding the reach or prevalence of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical structure is correct, and it finds frequent application in news, media, and scientific contexts. While its tone is generally neutral, users should be mindful of the subject being spread, as increasing the spread of undesirable things is not ideal. Alternatives like "expand the reach" or "widen the gap" offer nuanced options depending on the specific context. Overall, understanding its proper usage ensures clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increase the prevalence

Replaces "spread" with "prevalence", focusing on the extent of something's existence rather than its physical distribution.

increase the dissemination

Uses "dissemination" instead of "spread", highlighting the act of scattering or distributing something widely.

widen the gap

Employs "widen the gap" to emphasize the augmentation of a difference or space between two points or values.

broaden the range

Replaces "increase the spread" with "broaden the range", focusing on expanding the scope or variety.

augment the distribution

Substitutes "increase the spread" with "augment the distribution", emphasizing enhancing the way something is allocated or dispersed.

expand the reach

Uses "expand the reach" to highlight the enlargement of the area or scope that something affects or influences.

magnify the dispersion

Replaces "increase the spread" with "magnify the dispersion", accentuating the act of scattering something more widely.

extend the scope

Substitutes "increase the spread" with "extend the scope", focusing on making the area or range of something larger.

amplify the diffusion

Uses "amplify the diffusion" instead of "increase the spread", emphasizing the process of something becoming more widely spread or known.

heighten the propagation

Replaces "increase the spread" with "heighten the propagation", emphasizing the act of reproducing or multiplying something.

FAQs

How can I use "increase the spread" in a sentence?

The phrase "increase the spread" is often used to describe the expansion or widening of something, such as a disease, idea, or resource. For example: "The new policy aims to "increase the spread" of renewable energy sources."

What are some alternatives to "increase the spread"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "expand the reach", "widen the gap", or "augment the distribution".

Is it always positive to "increase the spread" of something?

No, it's not always positive. The value judgment depends on what is being spread. For instance, it's good to "increase the spread of knowledge", but undesirable to "increase the spread of disease".

What's the difference between "increase the spread" and "increase the distribution"?

While similar, "increase the spread" often implies a more diffuse or less controlled expansion, whereas "increase the distribution" suggests a more managed or allocated dispersal. Consider the phrase "increase the dissemination" as an alternative too.