may be spread

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may be spread" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has the potential to be distributed or disseminated in some way. Example: "The information about the new policy may be spread through various communication channels."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But its benefits may be spread unevenly.

The New York Times

Nilgai are of interest in understanding how CFT may be spread through the landscape.

Preventive Veterinary Medicine

In central systems, these components may be spread throughout a building.

Air Conditioning System Design Manual

In some cases, meaningful materials may be spread across the web at different locations.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

If you transfer appreciated securities, the payment of capital gains tax may be spread over your life expectancy.

Yale University

Those difficulties have stirred talk among many in the opera world that Mr. Domingo may be spread too thin.

The New York Times - Arts

All along their lifecycle, CNTs may be spread in the environment during production, use, destruction, reuse or potential accidents in production units or during transportation.

Carbon

Patients whose tumours tested positive for the HPV virus, which is linked to cervical cancer and may be spread by oral sex, did especially well.

The Guardian

The findings support the theory of "lithopanspermia", which suggests life may be spread from one planet to another aboard lumps of rock that are knocked off the surface.

The Guardian

Lays may be spread either with all plies of fabric facing one way or with successive plies facing each other in face-to-face spreads.

Britannica

Furthermore, like other lysine acylations, Kbz mark may be spread widely throughout the proteome and have important functions on non-histone proteins as well.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "may be spread", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being spread and the means or agents of spreading. For example, specify whether it's information, disease, or influence.

Common error

Avoid vague sentences that state something "may be spread" without specifying how it spreads or what facilitates its spread. Always clarify the mechanism or carrier involved to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be spread" functions as a modal passive construction. The modal verb "may" indicates possibility or potential, while "be spread" is the passive form of the verb "spread". As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "may be spread" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to express the potential for distribution or dissemination. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's widely accepted and appears frequently across diverse fields, including science, news, and encyclopedias. When using this phrase, ensure you clearly identify what is being spread and the mechanism or medium facilitating the spread to avoid ambiguity. While suitable for various contexts, its register tends to be neutral. Remember that while alternatives like "could be distributed" or "might be disseminated" exist, "may be spread" effectively conveys the possibility of something being distributed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be distributed

Emphasizes the possibility of distribution, similar to "may be spread", but uses a different modal verb.

might be disseminated

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

can be propagated

Suggests the ability to reproduce or transmit something, often used in a biological or informational context.

can be transmitted

Implies the transfer of something from one place or person to another, especially diseases or information.

could be diffused

Focuses on the process of something becoming widely dispersed or pervasive.

might be circulated

Highlights the movement of something among people or places.

is potentially scattered

Stresses the possibility of something being dispersed randomly or irregularly.

has the potential to extend

Shifts the focus to the capacity for something to increase its reach or scope.

is liable to proliferate

Indicates a tendency for something to increase rapidly in number or extent.

is subject to dispersal

Suggests that something is likely to be scattered or spread, often by natural forces.

FAQs

How can I use "may be spread" in a sentence?

Use "may be spread" to indicate the possibility of something being distributed or disseminated. For example, "Misinformation may be spread rapidly through social media".

What are some alternatives to "may be spread"?

You can use alternatives like "could be distributed", "might be disseminated", or "can be transmitted" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "may be spread" or should I use "might be spread"?

Both "may be spread" and "might be spread" are grammatically correct and express possibility. "May" suggests a slightly higher probability than "might", but they are often interchangeable.

How does the meaning of "may be spread" differ from "is spread"?

"May be spread" indicates a possibility or potential for something to be distributed. "Is spread", on the other hand, indicates that the spreading is actually occurring.