it spreads over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it spreads over" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that extends or covers a particular area or surface. Example: "The news of the festival quickly spreads over the entire town, bringing excitement to everyone."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

It spreads over two handsome floors and, most important, has a menu that lets you know you're in Iceland.

The New York Times - Travel

In CSAR, each content has its special content-scent and can be found by tracing the scent it spreads over the network.

Computer Communications

As the desired boundary conditions are only enforced directly in a volume average sense scope of it spreads over a computing cell.

Journal of Computational Physics

Network theorists usually approach this problem by adding information to the network at a certain node and then watching how it spreads over time.

MIT Technology Review

Big as it is, we don't really notice it, as it spreads over the scene below, joining in with the curving frame (and the tree behind it) to make a protective arch.

Independent

The corresponding experimental results are provided in Fig. 4. The SOP of an initial On/Off Keying (OOK) 40-Gbit/s signal centred around 1564 nm was scrambled so that it spreads over the entire Poincaré sphere.

Nature

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

It spread over much of the city, damaging the cathedral and delaying its construction.

Wikipedia

Not only is it spread over three years, but more than half of it is not due to happen until 2001-02.

The Economist

The lavas that produced it spread over farms and into town and threatened to enter and destroy Iceland's most important fishing harbor.

The New Yorker

Then, as the news grew more serious, it spread over the day, absorbing the attention of the media as the true scale of the horror became apparent.

Independent

Screenwriters argue that their labors generally create programming that has very high value — value that would seem to multiply as it spread over more platforms.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "it spreads over", ensure that the subject clearly indicates what is doing the spreading and that the object specifies the area or surface being covered. This clarity helps avoid ambiguity and ensures your message is easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "it spreads over" without clearly defining what "it" refers to. Ensure the reader understands the subject and the scope of the spread to maintain clarity and prevent misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it spreads over" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of something extending or expanding across a specific area. It describes how something permeates or blankets a surface, as seen in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

50%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it spreads over" is a grammatically sound and versatile verb phrase used to describe the expansion or coverage of something across an area. Ludwig shows its applicability in both scientific and news contexts, indicating a neutral register. The phrase functions to communicate the extent or reach of a subject, and while it's generally clear, ensuring that the "it" is well-defined is crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it covers

This option is more concise and direct, focusing on the act of something enveloping or affecting an area.

it extends across

This alternative suggests a horizontal expansion or reach, differing slightly in emphasis from a more general coverage.

it permeates

Implies a more thorough and pervasive influence, suggesting that something spreads throughout every part of an area or substance.

it diffuses through

This suggests a gradual and less concentrated spreading, often used in scientific or technical contexts.

it propagates across

Similar to diffuses, but can imply a more active or driven expansion, often used in physics or network contexts.

it encompasses

Focuses on the inclusion of something within a defined boundary, suggesting a complete coverage.

it blankets

This uses a visual metaphor of something covering a surface like a blanket, implying a complete and often impactful coverage.

it unfolds across

Suggests a gradual revelation or expansion over an area, often used in narrative or developmental contexts.

it dominates

This alternative implies a controlling influence or presence over an area, rather than simple coverage.

it sweeps over

Suggests a rapid and often forceful movement across an area, implying a quick or significant impact.

FAQs

How can I use "it spreads over" in a sentence?

Use "it spreads over" to describe something that extends or covers a particular area or surface, such as "The news "it spreads over" the entire town" or "The influence "it spreads over" multiple sectors".

What are some alternatives to "it spreads over"?

You can use alternatives like "it extends across", "it covers", or "it permeates" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it spreads over" formal or informal?

The phrase ""it spreads over"" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.

What's the difference between "it spreads over" and "it covers"?

While both phrases indicate coverage, ""it spreads over"" often implies a gradual or progressive expansion, whereas "it covers" can simply mean that something occupies or affects an area without necessarily implying movement or expansion.