it became widespread

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it became widespread" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that became well-known or popular over a period of time. For example, "The use of the internet quickly became widespread in the early 2000s."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Subsequently, the idea of banks' taking on more risk, and getting paid for it, became widespread.

The New York Times

From 2008 it became widespread, propelled by the financial crisis and then by quantitative easing (QE), the practice of buying bonds with newly created money.

The Economist

It became widespread as a weed after the second world war, rushing like wildfire through bombsites and revelling in exposed mortar and rubble.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Before vaccines for it became widespread in 1963, millions of Americans were infected annually, and 400 to 500 died each year.

The New York Times

Although it shares with European left-wingery much claptrap about the wickedness of American materialism, it became widespread in the Middle East only with America's open support for Israel after the 1967 six-day war.

The Economist

A mixture of river traffic (particularly along the Congo and Kasai) and railways spread it all the way to Kisangani and Lubumbashi (see map).But, though it became widespread, it does not seem to have been common.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

It becomes widespread thanks to its concepts that boost availability and accessibility of information on the network.

Procedia Computer Science

Why did it become widespread?

The Guardian

When it becomes widespread in the U.S. you will be able to flash the menu of a restaurant on your home screen.

The New Yorker

Even if it becomes widespread in China, their precautions hopefully have slowed things so that many can be vaccinated, and for those that do get it, the health infrastructure can keep up with the numbers.

University of California, Berkeley

Samuel D. Gosling, a psychologist at the University of Texas at Austin, said that the cuisine trends could occur because members of the Web site value doing the latest thing — until it becomes widespread.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it became widespread", ensure the subject is clearly defined. For instance, specify what exactly became widespread, such as "the use of mobile phones became widespread".

Common error

Avoid using "it became widespread" too frequently in your writing, as this can lead to a passive voice. Actively construct sentences to emphasize the subject and action. For example, instead of "it became widespread due to social media", try "social media popularized it".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it became widespread" functions as a declarative statement, indicating the growth and expansion of something's prevalence or reach. Ludwig's examples showcase its use across various domains to describe how a concept, practice, or technology gained broad acceptance.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it became widespread" is a useful and grammatically sound way to describe the increasing prevalence of something. As indicated by Ludwig, it is frequently used in news, science, and encyclopedia contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider alternatives like "it gained traction" or "it became common" for nuanced meanings. To ensure clarity, specify what exactly became widespread. Remember to avoid overusing the passive voice in your writing. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use the phrase "it became widespread" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it became common

A simpler and more direct way to express that something became usual or frequent.

it gained traction

Focuses on the gradual acceptance and increasing popularity of something.

it took hold

Implies something firmly established itself.

it spread rapidly

Emphasizes the speed at which something became common.

it flourished

Suggests a thriving and successful increase in prevalence.

it proliferated

Highlights a rapid and abundant increase.

it was popularized

Suggests that something was actively made popular by external forces.

it diffused widely

Emphasizes the geographic spread of something.

it extended its reach

Focuses on the expansion of influence or availability.

it expanded significantly

Indicates a notable increase in scope or extent.

FAQs

How can I use "it became widespread" in a sentence?

Use "it became widespread" to describe the increasing prevalence of something, as in "The adoption of electric vehicles "became widespread" due to environmental concerns".

What is a good alternative to "it became widespread"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it gained traction", "it became common", or "it spread rapidly", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "it became widespread" and "it was widespread"?

"It became widespread" implies a process of spreading over time, whereas "it was widespread" describes a state of being common at a particular time, without emphasizing the transition.

What makes "it became widespread" different from "it became popular"?

"It became widespread" suggests a broad geographic or demographic reach, whereas "it became popular" focuses more on general acceptance and liking.