infectious-

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "infectious-" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as a prefix to describe something that can be transmitted or spread, particularly in the context of diseases or emotions. Example: "The infectious disease spread rapidly through the population, causing widespread concern."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

John, London at Dawn Anthony is a fantastic teacher, not just for his technical skill and keen eye but also his enthusiasm and passion for photography which is highly infectious!

The Guardian

"Laura's smile could light up a room and her infectious laughter will be remembered by many for years to come," her family said in a statement to Newsday.

The Guardian

Back in London, I find a 2008 paper on morgellons in the journal Dermatologic Therapy that describes patients picking "at their skin continuously in order to 'extract' an organism"; "obsessive cleaning rituals, showering often" and individuals going "to many physicians, such as infectious disease specialists and dermatologists" – all behaviours "consistent with DOP".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

From bubonic plague in the middle ages to bird flu or Sars in the 21st century, infectious diseases have spread horrifyingly fast in cities, where people live in close proximity and sometimes crowded together.

The Guardian

While infectious and contagious diseases are the most obvious hazard, it is now recognised that the urban environment also has a major part to play in chronic illness.

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

One attendee, Louise, described Anthony's as 'a fantastic teacher, not just for his technical skill and keen eye but also his enthusiasm and passion for photography which is highly infectious!'.

The Guardian

The think-tank was organised into groups examining five key areas: temperature and extreme weather events, infectious disease, food and water supplies, livelihood and disadvantage, and security, social instability and conflict.

The Guardian

Humans are not infectious until they develop symptoms, which at first are fever, muscle pain, headaches and a sore throat.

The Guardian

His music is infectious, happy-go-lucky, energetic, Dominican, bouncy – a lot of my favorite things.

The Guardian

Professor Jonathan Iredell, an infectious diseases physician who specialises in the transmission of antibiotic resistance, said Australia's national antimicrobial strategy would also mean funding for the sector was more secure.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a quality or emotion that spreads easily, consider using "infectious-" to convey its ability to affect others positively or negatively.

Common error

While "infectious-" is widely understood, overuse can diminish its impact. Substitute with more precise adjectives like "contagious", "pervasive", or "transmittable" depending on the intended nuance, especially in formal or scientific contexts.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "infectious-" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something capable of causing infection or spreading rapidly. Ludwig highlights this usage across various examples, confirming its adjectival role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "infectious-" functions primarily as an adjective to describe the transmissive quality of diseases, emotions, or ideas. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide usage across diverse sources, including news, science, and formal contexts. While "infectious-" is a versatile term, consider alternatives like "contagious", "transmittable", or "pervasive" for nuanced expressions. Use "infectious-" thoughtfully to effectively convey the ease with which something spreads and influences its surroundings. It is very common and you can find it on The Guardian, The Economist etc.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contagious

This alternative emphasizes the ease of transmission, particularly in the context of diseases or emotions.

communicable

This is typically used in medical contexts to describe diseases that can be transmitted.

transmittable

This term focuses on the ability to be passed from one person or thing to another.

epidemic

This refers to a widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time.

catching

This suggests something easily acquired or imitated, often used informally.

pandemic

This indicates a disease prevalent over a whole country or the world.

spreading

This highlights the act of something expanding or disseminating widely.

viral

This term indicates rapid dissemination, often through digital channels.

rampant

This emphasizes the uncontrolled or widespread nature of something, often negative.

pervasive

This indicates something that is widespread and deeply ingrained.

FAQs

How can "infectious" be used in a sentence?

You can use "infectious" to describe something that spreads quickly, like "The enthusiasm was infectious" or to refer to a disease that can be transmitted, like "The disease is highly infectious".

What's the difference between "infectious" and "contagious"?

"Infectious" and "contagious" are often used interchangeably, but "infectious" generally refers to the ability to cause infection, while "contagious" refers to the ease of transmission. Not all infectious diseases are highly "contagious".

What are some synonyms for "infectious"?

Some synonyms for "infectious" include "contagious", "transmittable", "catching", "spreading", and "viral".

Is it correct to say that an emotion is "infectious"?

Yes, it is correct. "Infectious" can be used metaphorically to describe emotions or attitudes that are easily spread or adopted by others. For example, "Her laughter was infectious".