is spread over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is spread over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is distributed or extended across a certain area or period of time. Example: "The festival is spread over three days, featuring various activities and performances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The shop is spread over three stories.

The New Yorker

EduCity is spread over 123 hectares, or 305 acres.

The New York Times

One is spread over a 27-city area around Tampa.

The New York Times - Arts

It is spread over time until supersaturation disappears at the end of the batch process.

Chemical Engineering Science

The tournament is spread over 2 years, so the double rounds are months apart.

European Journal of Operational Research

The pulsed light is a single frequency-controllable light source that is spread over the biodisk.

Optics & Laser Technology

"This is a flat, broad tendon — the force is spread over a bigger area.

The New York Times - Sports

His errorless streak covers 623 total innings; Kuroda's is spread over 645 innings.

The New York Times - Sports

The resort is spread over Chopok mountain, one of the highest in the Low Tatra range.

The Guardian - Travel

Six hours of small-group instruction is spread over two days.

The Guardian - Travel

Debris is spread over an area of around 12 square miles.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is spread over" when you want to emphasize the extent or area something covers, whether it's physical space or time. For example: "The responsibilities are spread over several team members."

Common error

Avoid using "is spread over" when "covers" or "on" would suffice. Overusing "spread over" can make your writing sound verbose. For example, instead of saying "The butter is spread over the bread," simply say "The butter is on the bread."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is spread over" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that something is distributed or extended across a particular area or duration. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is spread over" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the distribution or extension of something across an area or time. As confirmed by Ludwig, it enjoys widespread usage in both formal and informal contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific domains. While grammatically sound, it's important to use it judiciously, avoiding overuse in place of simpler alternatives like "covers" or "on". By considering context and purpose, writers can effectively leverage "is spread over" to convey the spatial or temporal allocation of various elements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is distributed across

Focuses on the distribution aspect rather than the spatial extension.

is extended over

Emphasizes the reach or length of the spread.

covers

A shorter, more direct way of saying something is spread over an area.

spans

Highlights the range or scope of the spread.

permeates

Suggests a more thorough or pervasive spread.

is diffused through

Implies a gradual and even spreading.

is scattered across

Suggests a less uniform or more random distribution.

is dispersed throughout

Highlights the scattering aspect of the spread.

stretches across

Emphasizes the horizontal extension of the spread.

is laid out over

Suggests a deliberate or planned arrangement over an area.

FAQs

How can I use "is spread over" in a sentence?

You can use "is spread over" to describe something that is distributed across an area or a period of time. For example: "The data "is spread over" multiple servers", or "The workload "is spread over" the entire team".

What are some alternatives to "is spread over"?

Alternatives to "is spread over" include "is distributed across", "is extended over", or simply "covers", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "is spread on" instead of "is spread over"?

While "is spread on" can be correct, it usually refers to a surface. "Is spread over" is generally used for larger areas or time periods. For instance, you'd say butter is spread on bread, but a city "is spread over" a large area.

What's the difference between "is spread over" and "is scattered across"?

"Is spread over" implies a more even distribution, while "is scattered across" suggests a less uniform, more random distribution. For example, information "is spread over" multiple documents, but debris "is scattered across" a field.