it was spread

USAGE SUMMARY

"it was spread" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it to describe how an idea, rumor, belief, or message was disseminated or propagated. For example: "Word of the new policy changes spread quickly, and soon it was spread throughout the entire organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At its peak, it was spread over seven square miles.

Vice

However, its message sprawled across the nation as it was spread by word of mouth or handed down copies to those who couldn't afford a subscription.

Britannica

Before it was spread over his hands.

The Washington Post

But in those early years no one was sure how it was spread.

The New York Times - Arts

So it was spread over about a period of nine months.

The Guardian - Film

If it was spread over three weeks it would lose this energy that it has".

The Guardian

They also knew there was great ignorance among the deaf about how it was spread.

The New York Times

The received wisdom was that it was spread through the 'miasma' (bad air).

The Guardian

But there is little doubt that it was spread for the most part by merchants in the 12th century.

Cornell University

Specialists say it was spread around the tropics by Portuguese sailors who believed it had medicinal properties.

The New York Times

And it was spread, among other places, by a formerly verified Facebook page for one Carlos Trewher.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was spread", ensure the subject is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "the rumor" or "the information".

Common error

Avoid overuse of the passive voice. While "it was spread" is grammatically correct, active voice often creates a more direct and engaging sentence. Consider alternatives like "Merchants spread it" for a more impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was spread" primarily functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a subject received the action of being distributed or disseminated. As Ludwig AI suggests, the examples cover a broad range of contexts, from the spread of information to the spread of disease.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was spread" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, functioning as a passive construction to describe the dissemination of something. As Ludwig AI validates, this phrase appears across various domains, including news, academia, and science. While versatile, attention should be paid to potential overuse and to consider stronger, active voice alternatives where appropriate. As the analysis shows, it is vital to consider the audience and the specific context when using the phrase, as this can impact the choice of register and overall effectiveness of the communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was distributed

Focuses on the act of dividing and allocating something widely.

it was disseminated

Replaces "spread" with "disseminated", indicating a formal or widespread distribution.

it was transmitted

Implies transfer of something, like a disease or signal.

it was scattered

Replaces "spread" with "scattered", emphasizing a less organized distribution.

it was relayed

Suggests the information was passed on.

it was circulated

Emphasizes the circular movement or reach of something.

it was passed

Substitutes "spread" with "passed", implying a transfer from one entity to another.

it was broadcast

Implies distribution via media.

it was propagated

Uses "propagated" instead of "spread", suggesting a more intentional or biological dissemination.

it was diffused

Suggests a gradual spreading out or mixing.

FAQs

How can I use "it was spread" in a sentence?

You can use "it was spread" to describe how something, like information or a disease, was distributed or disseminated. For example, "The news "it was spread" quickly through social media."

What can I say instead of "it was spread"?

You can use alternatives like "it was disseminated", "it was circulated", or "it was transmitted" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "it was spread" or "it had spread"?

"It was spread" indicates a past action, while "it had spread" indicates an action completed before another point in the past. Choose the tense that accurately reflects the timing you want to convey.

What's the difference between "it was spread" and "it spread"?

"It was spread" uses the passive voice, indicating that something was acted upon, while "it spread" uses the active voice, indicating that something performed the action of spreading. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the action or the thing being spread.