prevalent

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "prevalent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is widespread and commonly found, occurring in large numbers. Example sentence: The use of smartphones is now prevalent among people of all ages.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In Chamarajanagar, where literacy rates are around 51%, notions of disability being karma related are prevalent.

The Guardian

The blinkered insularity prevalent in England may be gauged from the fact that Frank Coles, the Daily Telegraph correspondent, asked himself how the Hungarians would fare against an English club team fighting for points in midwinter.

The Guardian - Sport

Audiences don't want to see the kind of self-indulgent, boring dance that is so prevalent today.

The Guardian

I believe this is a prevalent view amongst Rangers stakeholders who are now demanding full transparency about the funding of the acquisition of the club, its current financial status and, most importantly, the way forward.

The Guardian - Sport

The report said violence in soaps was "quite prevalent" and occurred in the "large majority of episodes" – nearly eight out of 10 – in 2013.

The Guardian

The writers, who also included Peter Carey and Michael Ondaatje, argued in their letter that the choice of winner was "not simply conveying support for freedom of expression, but also valorising … material that intensifies the anti-Islamic, anti-Maghreb, anti-Arab sentiments already prevalent in the western world".

The Guardian - Books

The latter got to know my long history of weight-loss attempts and about how the problem was prevalent and as yet "uncured" on both sides of my family.

The Guardian - Opinion

It believes that "herding" behaviour – as fund managers charge into the same asset classes simultaneously in order to hit their performance targets – is "prevalent and increasing" – particularly in emerging market assets.

The Guardian - Business

Women were more likely to live at home than men, and it was also more prevalent among black and minority ethnic students, and among students who attended a higher education institution with lower entry criteria.

The Guardian

Women were more likely to live at home, and it was also more prevalent among black and ethnic minority students But she says it is not certain that being at home does narrow their options.

The Guardian

Heart disease is particularly prevalent among working-class men and ethnic minorities.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "prevalent" to describe trends, conditions, or beliefs that are widely observed or accepted in a particular context. It suggests a higher degree of pervasiveness than simply 'common'.

Common error

While "prevalent" is acceptable in many contexts, be mindful of overuse in very formal or academic writing. Consider stronger or more specific synonyms depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "prevalent" functions to describe something that is widespread, generally accepted, or commonly occurring within a specific context. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples demonstrating its use in various scenarios.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prevalent" is an adjective used to describe something that is widespread, common, or generally accepted. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its correct usage in written English, highlighting its suitability for describing trends, beliefs, or conditions. With a high frequency across news media and scientific sources, it is crucial to use "prevalent" with attention to the specific context, avoiding overuse in highly formal writing. Related terms include "widespread", "common", and "dominant", offering nuances for more precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

widespread

Focuses on the broad geographic distribution or occurrence of something.

common

Highlights the frequency of occurrence, suggesting something is typical or usual.

rife

Implies something unpleasant or negative is widespread and abundant.

dominant

Emphasizes the controlling or prevailing influence of something.

predominant

Indicates something is the most common or noticeable element.

ubiquitous

Suggests something is present everywhere or seems to be.

pervasive

Highlights the way something spreads widely throughout an area or group of people.

rampant

Implies unrestrained or unchecked spread, often of something negative.

prevailing

Indicates something is currently accepted, favored, or most common.

frequent

Emphasizes the high rate of occurrence.

FAQs

How to use "prevalent" in a sentence?

Use "prevalent" to describe something that is widespread or commonly occurring. For example, "The use of smartphones is now "prevalent" among people of all ages".

What can I say instead of "prevalent"?

You can use alternatives like "widespread", "common", or "dominant" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "prevalent" or "common"?

"Prevalent" and "common" are both correct, but "prevalent" suggests a higher degree of pervasiveness. "Common" simply means frequently occurring, while "prevalent" implies widespread acceptance or existence.

What's the difference between "prevalent" and "frequent"?

"Frequent" refers to how often something occurs, while "prevalent" refers to how widespread or common something is within a particular population or area. Something can be frequent without being "prevalent" if it only affects a small group.