proliferated

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "proliferated" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a verb that means to increase in number or spread rapidly. Example Sentence: The disease had quickly proliferated throughout the city.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ignoring the etiquette tips that have proliferated online since 'selfie' was declared Oxford Dictionaries' word of the year, the three world leaders appeared to momentarily forget the solemnity of the occasion, adopting the mandatory cheesy grins.

The Guardian

The culprit is a mini cicada called a cicadelle which French lavender producers believe has proliferated because of hotter, drier summers, blamed on global warming.

The Guardian

In reality, it set the mould for the dreary expanses of carpet tiles and suspended ceilings that have proliferated ever since; research has also suggested that open offices "make people less productive and more hostile and anxious".

The Guardian - Arts

Bike lanes have proliferated in other parts of the city.

The Guardian

Israeli settlements have proliferated in east Jerusalem, severely disrupting the property, resource and human rights of Palestinians.

The Guardian - Opinion

Sub-$100 deals at prominent Strip hotels have proliferated in recent weeks.

The Economist

But the AU's force has been battered by attacks from the various rebel and bandit groups that have proliferated, some with the wink of the government.

The Economist

Graduate degrees, including the MBA, have proliferated in subjects and fields where on-the-job learning used to be standard.

The Economist

Private security has proliferated: shops have cameras, houses have burglar alarms and cars have immobilisers.

The Economist

The centre slaps an excise at the factory gate; the states compound that with a tax at the point of sale.The problem has become bigger as new levies have proliferated.

The Economist

Since the Democrats took control of Congress after the November mid-term elections, bills to tackle climate change have proliferated.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "proliferated" when you want to emphasize the rapid and widespread increase of something, especially in a slightly negative or uncontrolled way. For a more positive connotation, consider "flourished" or "thrived".

Common error

Avoid using "proliferated" too frequently in formal writing if a more neutral term like "increased" or "expanded" would be more appropriate. The word often carries a sense of something spreading quickly and perhaps uncontrollably, which might not always be the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The word "proliferated" functions as a verb, typically in the past tense or present perfect, to describe the rapid increase or spread of something. Ludwig AI confirms that "proliferated" is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "proliferated" is a versatile verb used to describe the rapid increase or spread of something, often with a connotation of being somewhat uncontrolled. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and common usage. It is frequently found in news and media contexts. When using "proliferated", consider whether its emphasis on rapid, potentially uncontrolled growth aligns with your intended meaning. Alternatives such as "increased rapidly" or "expanded greatly" may be more appropriate in certain contexts. Be mindful of overuse in formal writing where a more neutral term might be preferable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increased rapidly

Emphasizes the speed of the increase.

spread quickly

Focuses on the extent and speed of dissemination.

expanded greatly

Highlights the magnitude of the expansion.

multiplied swiftly

Stresses a rapid multiplication in number.

flourished abundantly

Implies a healthy and vigorous growth.

burgeoned extensively

Suggests a budding or sprouting forth on a large scale.

mushroomed suddenly

Conveys a rapid and often unexpected growth.

escalated sharply

Indicates a steep and quick rise in intensity or number.

snowballed rapidly

Implies an accelerating growth, like a snowball rolling downhill.

became widespread

Highlights the broad distribution and commonness.

FAQs

How do you use "proliferated" in a sentence?

Use "proliferated" to describe something that has increased rapidly in number or spread extensively. For instance, "Online scams have "proliferated" in recent years."

What's a good alternative to "proliferated"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "proliferated" include "increased rapidly", "spread quickly", or "expanded greatly".

Is it correct to say "proliferated rapidly?"

While "proliferated" already implies rapid growth, using "rapidly" alongside it can add emphasis, although it may be considered slightly redundant. It's generally acceptable but consider if the emphasis is necessary.

What is the difference between "proliferated" and "expanded"?

"Expanded" generally refers to an increase in size or scope, while "proliferated" specifically denotes a rapid increase in number or amount. For example, "The company expanded its operations", versus "Rumors proliferated after the announcement".