it was widespread

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was widespread" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that was prevalent or common over a large area or among a large number of people. Example: "The misinformation about the event was so alarming because it was widespread, affecting communities across the country."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

But members of Mr. Gregg's staff said that seven cases documented in Toledo, Ohio, suggested that it was widespread, and that that state had recently adopted its own legislation against the practice.

The New York Times

The Iraqi Kurdish government denied that it was widespread but the film-makers' testimonies found otherwise.

The Guardian

She said it was widespread and done by a lot mainline institutional investors.

The New York Times

It may have occurred in Asia, and it was widespread in Europe last year.

The New York Times

Ms. Feinberg said that Ms. Miller told her, "There were no instances where it was widespread".

The New York Times

Israel's army has acknowledged such practices, and Palestinians said it was widespread in Jenin.

The New York Times

"It was people taking advantage of the situation, it was widespread criminality, and there is no excuse for it.

The Guardian

"We cannot say that we know it was widespread, although it is well possible that it would have been widespread".

The New York Times

It was widespread in cattle in Europe in the 1990's and has more recently appeared in Canada.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

In Asia it is widespread.

The New York Times - Science

It's widespread, it's hilarious.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was widespread" to describe phenomena, practices, or beliefs that were common or prevalent across a population, region, or time period. Ensure that the context clearly identifies what "it" refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "it was widespread" without a clear antecedent for "it". Ensure the subject is explicitly stated in the preceding sentence or is immediately apparent to the reader to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was widespread" functions as a statement indicating that a particular phenomenon, belief, or practice was common or prevalent during a specific time or within a certain context. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples illustrating this usage across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

14%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was widespread" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something was prevalent or common across a particular area or among a large group of people. As highlighted by Ludwig, this phrase is frequently used in news and media, as well as in scientific and encyclopedic contexts. While it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse scenarios, it's crucial to ensure a clear antecedent for "it" to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like ""it was prevalent"" or ""it was common"" can provide similar meaning while diversifying your writing. As Ludwig AI confirms, its consistent usage and clarity make it a reliable choice for conveying prevalence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was prevalent

Focuses on the commonness of something rather than its geographical spread.

it was common

Highlights the frequency of an occurrence.

it was extensive

Emphasizes the broad reach or scope of something.

it was rampant

Suggests something is spreading uncontrollably.

it was pervasive

Highlights the way something spread through all parts of something.

it was universal

Suggests that something applied to every case.

it was rife

Implies something undesirable is abundant.

it was epidemic

Focuses on the rapid spread of something, often used for diseases or problems.

it was sweeping

Emphasizes the scale and impact of a change or movement.

it was generalized

Indicates that something was broadly applied or assumed.

FAQs

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

Use "it was widespread" to indicate that something was common or prevalent. For example, "The belief that the earth was flat was widespread in ancient times."

What are some alternatives to "it was widespread"?

You can use alternatives like "it was prevalent", "it was common", or "it was extensive" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "it is widespread" instead of "it was widespread"?

Yes, "it is widespread" is correct if you are referring to something that is currently common. "It was widespread" refers to something that was common in the past.

What is the difference between "it was widespread" and "it was isolated"?

"It was widespread" means something was common or prevalent, while "it was isolated" means something was rare or limited to a specific instance or location.