most prevalent

USAGE SUMMARY

"most prevalent" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective meaning "most widespread" or "most common". You can use it in sentences to describe a phenomenon, condition, or other noun which is especially widespread or common. For example, "Poverty is one of the most prevalent issues facing developing nations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Marijuana was most prevalent.

The New York Times

The most prevalent defect is cleavage.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Sneakers were the most prevalent footwear.

The New York Times - Travel

And they are most prevalent in Manhattan.

The New York Times

In India, the disease is most prevalent in Bihar.

The New York Times

The most prevalent symptom in the first basket is depression.

The New Yorker

That is most prevalent in Suffolk, given the higher salaries.

The New York Times

Coral disease was most prevalent at Kiritimati, they said.

The New York Times - Science

Consider the following questions: Where is diabetes most prevalent?

The New York Times

"They're almost encouraged, and are most prevalent among young people".

The Guardian

Mohinga vendors are most prevalent in the morning.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "most prevalent", ensure that the context clearly defines the scope within which something is considered most widespread. For example, specify the region, time period, or population group.

Common error

Avoid assuming that what is "most prevalent" in one situation is universally so. Always verify that your claims are supported by data or evidence relevant to the specific context you are discussing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most prevalent" functions as a superlative adjective, modifying a noun to indicate that it is the most widespread or common among others of its kind. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "most prevalent" is a versatile and grammatically sound adjective phrase, meaning 'most widespread' or 'most common'. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to describe entities or phenomena that are particularly common within a specific scope. Its frequent appearance in both scientific and news contexts underscores its neutrality and broad applicability. When using "most prevalent", remember to provide a clear context to avoid overgeneralizations and specify the scope of its prevalence. Consider alternatives like "most common", "most frequent", or "predominant" to fine-tune your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most common

Replaces "prevalent" with the more basic and frequently used synonym "common".

most widespread

Emphasizes the geographical or distributional aspect of frequency.

predominant

A more formal synonym for "prevalent", indicating superior influence or frequency.

most frequent

Focuses directly on the numerical frequency of occurrence.

chief

Indicates the main or leading aspect of prevalence.

primary

Highlights that something is of first importance or rank in its prevalence.

leading

Suggests a position of dominance or leadership in terms of prevalence.

paramount

Emphasizes the supreme or dominant nature of the prevalence.

major

Indicates a significant or substantial degree of prevalence.

principal

Highlights the main or most important aspect of prevalence.

FAQs

How can I use "most prevalent" in a sentence?

You can use "most prevalent" to describe something that is the most common or widespread in a particular context. For example, "In this region, the "most prevalent disease" is malaria."

What's a good alternative to "most prevalent"?

Alternatives include "most common", "most frequent", or "most widespread", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "the most prevalent"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to use the definite article "the" before "most prevalent" when referring to a specific instance or type. For example, "The "most prevalent reason" for the decline is…"

What's the difference between "most prevalent" and "most common"?

While often interchangeable, "most prevalent" may suggest a broader distribution or influence, whereas "most common" simply indicates the highest frequency. Choose the term that best fits the specific context. It’s really subtle but a valid alternative is "chief".