it has circulated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it has circulated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something, such as information or a document, has been distributed or shared among a group of people. Example: "The memo has circulated among the staff, and everyone is now aware of the new policy changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

It has circulated for years; it was not based on the contributor's personal experience.

The New York Times

The letter is apocryphal, but it has circulated widely online, and has become a rallying point for the Iraqi insurgency.

The New Yorker

It has circulated around a lot. A. Well, what are they trying to say about John Ashcroft in that?

The New York Times

The Chinese government has proposed the subsidy condition in a draft policy that it has circulated to Chinese and multinational automakers.

The New York Times

So far it has circulated a couple of drafts of Form 8939 for comment and tax lawyers have weighed in with their quibbles.

Forbes

Synthetic versions of the female sex hormone, like those found in contraceptives, make their way through human digestive systems and into water streams, and can affect, for example, cows that humans use for milk and meat; humans re-ingesting their waste after it has circulated through the ecosystem.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

It took five mutations to let it jump to dogs from horses, where it had circulated for 40 years.

The New York Times

The company did, however, confront a September 11 conspiracy theory post that it had circulated around the anniversary of the attack.

The Guardian - Tech

The charity claimed it had circulated the coordinates of the site to all sides engaged in fighting in the country, adding that the bombing continued for 30 minutes after it had raised the alarm with Afghan and US authorities.

The Guardian

It had circulated around the club that Mr. Darcy's own startup had just received a hundred million dollars from an investor, dwarfing Mr. Bingley's now paltry-seeming fifty-million-dollar valuation.

The New Yorker

In a sign of the Egyptian government's inexperience at such public-relations campaigns, the official sought to reinforce his points by distributing a handout printed from the Internet, where it had circulated widely without clear authorship.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it has circulated" when you want to emphasize that information, a document, or a rumor has been shared or distributed among a group of people. It's suitable for formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "it has circulated" when referring to highly confidential or restricted information that should not have been shared widely. Instead, consider phrases like "it was leaked" or "it was disclosed without authorization".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has circulated" functions as a stative verb phrase, indicating that something (e.g., information, a rumor, a document) has undergone the action of being passed around or spread among people. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it has circulated" is a versatile and frequently used expression that indicates the spread of information or materials among a group. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s grammatically sound and appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, particularly in news, science, and general discussions. Alternatives like "it has been disseminated" or "it has been spread" can offer slight variations in nuance. When using this phrase, be mindful of the scope of the information and whether widespread sharing is appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it has been disseminated

Replaces "circulated" with "disseminated", emphasizing a wider distribution, typically from a central source.

it has been spread

Uses "spread" instead of "circulated", suggesting a more organic or less controlled distribution.

it has been distributed

Employs "distributed" to highlight a planned and organized delivery to various recipients.

it has made the rounds

Replaces the original phrase with an idiom, implying widespread but informal sharing of information.

it has been passed around

Uses "passed around", suggesting a casual and informal transmission from person to person.

it has gained traction

Emphasizes that something is becoming popular or accepted.

it has propagated

Suggests a more formal and systematic spread, often used in technical or biological contexts.

it has proliferated

Implies a rapid and abundant increase or spread.

it has become widespread

Focuses on the extent of the spread, indicating that something is now common or prevalent.

it has filtered through

Suggests a gradual and often subtle spread of information or influence.

FAQs

How can I use "it has circulated" in a sentence?

You can use "it has circulated" to indicate that information, a document, or a rumor has been shared among a group. For example, "The memo "it has circulated" among the team members."

What can I say instead of "it has circulated"?

You can use alternatives such as "it has been distributed", "it has been spread", or "it has made the rounds" depending on the context.

Which is correct: "it has circulated" or "it is circulating"?

"It has circulated" indicates a completed action (the information has already been shared), while "it is circulating" suggests an ongoing process. The correct choice depends on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "it has circulated" and "it was circulated"?

"It has circulated" (present perfect) implies the action has relevance to the present. "It was circulated" (past passive) simply states that the action occurred in the past without necessarily implying present relevance. For example, "The document "it has circulated", and everyone is now aware of the policy" versus "The document "it was circulated" last week".