it is propagating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is propagating" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the process of something spreading or being transmitted, such as information, a disease, or a wave. Example: "The virus is spreading rapidly; it is propagating through the population at an alarming rate."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"The trend is increasing and it is propagating from department to department," Roc Magloire, the Ministry of Health's epidemiologist, said in a telephone interview on Sunday.

The New York Times

The speed of sound is constant with respect to the air in which it is propagating, so that, if the observer moves away from the source at a speed greater than the speed of sound, nothing will be heard.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The government had to apologise when Engin Ceber, a left-wing activist, was tortured and beaten to death by security forces recently in an Istanbul prison.AKP leaders, who narrowly escaped a constitutional court ban in July, have yet to utter a word about a similar closure case that is pending against the DTP on the ground that it is propagating separatism.

The Economist

Our aim here is to investigate how a noise field which is composed of a group of pulses behave as it is propagating and in particular we want to investigate the spreading of the field as a function of time.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Figure 4 The cross-section views of xz plane and yz plane of the plane wave electric field when it is propagating through the sub-wavelength hole arrays of 350 nm rectangular hole (250 nm × 50 nm) array on various thicknesses (100 to 500 nm) of gold film on corresponding thicknesses.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Because lemon grass is a clumping grass, it is propagated from rooted shoots, called rhizomes.

The New York Times - Food

Once the electrical impulse is generated in the sinoatrial node, it is propagated rapidly throughout the heart.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is propagated by sending itself out to people who have recently sent messages to the victim, and then it records the user's keystrokes and gathers private data, including user passwords.

The New York Times

In his view, a lie is a lie, whether it is propagated by Ronald Zarrella, the chief executive of Bausch & Lomb, who confirmed two weeks ago that he did not, after all, have an M.B.A. from N.Y.U.

The New Yorker

From the outside, the divestment campaign seems to play a prominent role in campus politics, but in reality it is propagated by a fringe group of students seeking to delegitimize Israel on campuses and in the national media.

The New York Times

A woody tuberous plant whose origin in the savannas of South America has long been lost, it is propagated vegetatively by planting a piece of tuber or a segment of stem.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is propagating", ensure the context clearly indicates what 'it' refers to. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "it is propagating" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "it is spreading" or "it is growing" often sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is propagating" functions as a verb phrase within a clause, describing the action of something spreading or being transmitted. This is supported by the examples provided by Ludwig, where the phrase is used to describe the spread of sound, disease, and information.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it is propagating" is a grammatically correct verb phrase that describes the process of something spreading or being transmitted. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's most commonly found in scientific and news contexts, with a formal register. While acceptable, simpler alternatives like "it is spreading" may be preferred in less formal situations. When using this phrase, clarity is key: ensure that the subject, or "it", is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Remember to consider the context and audience when choosing between "it is propagating" and its more common synonyms.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is spreading

Focuses more on the extent of reach rather than the mechanism of spread.

it is disseminating

Implies a more deliberate or organized spreading of something.

it is transmitting

Emphasizes the act of passing something from one point to another.

it is circulating

Suggests a movement within a closed system or group.

it is radiating

Implies spreading outwards from a central point, like energy or influence.

it is extending

Highlights the expansion or reach of something.

it is permeating

Suggests a gradual spreading or diffusion throughout something.

it is expanding

Focuses on growth in size or scope.

it is diffusing

Implies a spreading out from a concentrated area.

it is escalating

Suggests an increase in intensity or severity as it spreads.

FAQs

What does "it is propagating" mean?

The phrase "it is propagating" means something is spreading or extending, often referring to the transmission of information, signals, or even diseases.

How to use "it is propagating" in a sentence?

Use "it is propagating" to describe the process of something spreading or being transmitted. For example: "The sound wave "is propagating" through the air."

What can I say instead of "it is propagating"?

You can use alternatives like "it is spreading", "it is disseminating", or "it is transmitting" depending on the context.

Is "it is propagating" formal?

The phrase "it is propagating" is considered more formal than simpler alternatives like "it is spreading". Use it in scientific, technical, or formal writing.