propagate across

USAGE SUMMARY

"propagate across" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe how something moves or spreads from one area to another, typically in a widespread way. For example, "The news of the company's success quickly propagated across the country."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Above all, places like Port Sunlight and Bournville were supposed to be the seeds of a new society that would propagate across the earth.

The Guardian

The researchers have gotten a wave to propagate across a robot's body; that wave picks up the feet in a way that already resembles the foot motion of a real caterpillar.

The New York Times - Science

He presses the gas pedal down going uphill, but not enough, and the speed drops.These economies have all faced idiosyncratic shocks, of course, but we have also seen how quickly such shocks can propagate across borders if they're allowed to.

The Economist

The updated news feed is rolling out across the web right now, but may take some time to propagate across the entire network, so don't be surprised if it takes a few days to arrive.

Independent

A bundle of nanotubes, however, may bypass this problem, as microscopic defects may anneal along the length of a particular tube and certainly should not propagate across the bundle thus avoiding the problems that occur in conventional materials.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Showing that changes propagate across machines almost instantly.

TechCrunch

These changes, after all, always tend to take a while to propagate across Google's properties.

TechCrunch

"Low frequencies tend to propagate across long distances with little attenuation".

Science Magazine

That means a pollutant's impact can take a long time to propagate across an ecosystem.

Science Magazine

In addition, only fast-mode waves can directly propagate across the ambient magnetic field.

Earth, Planets and Space

The seismic waves with the frequencies in the AZs cannot propagate across the foundation.

Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the spread of information or trends, use "propagate across" to convey a sense of widespread dissemination and influence. For example, "The new marketing strategy is expected to "propagate across" all departments."

Common error

Avoid using "propagate across" interchangeably with verbs that imply a different type of movement, such as "migrate" (which suggests a specific path or destination) or "transfer" (which implies a direct exchange). "Propagate across" is best suited for describing the widespread dissemination of something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "propagate across" functions as a verb phrase, typically describing how something, such as information, waves, or even societal trends, spreads or extends over a particular area or medium. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically sound and widely usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "propagate across" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to describe the widespread dissemination of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, its strong presence in scientific and news-related content highlights its usefulness in communicating the spread of information, waves, or effects over a defined area. While similar phrases like "spread through" or "diffuse through" exist, "propagate across" often implies a more active or intentional transmission. When employing this phrase, writers should ensure it accurately reflects the expansive movement they intend to convey, avoiding confusion with verbs that suggest different types of movement. Overall, the phrase is quite common and applicable in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spread through

This alternative emphasizes the widespread dissemination of something within a defined area.

disseminate throughout

This suggests a more formal and controlled distribution across an entire region.

permeate across

Implies a gradual and pervasive spread, often suggesting influence or effect.

extend over

Focuses on the spatial reach and coverage of something.

traverse through

Highlights the movement or journey across a particular space or system.

radiate across

Suggests the outward expansion from a central point.

ripple through

Implies a wave-like spread, often used for effects or consequences.

infiltrate throughout

Suggests a subtle or gradual penetration across a system.

diffuse through

Emphasizes the even distribution of something throughout an area.

transmit over

Focuses on the conveyance of information or signals across a medium.

FAQs

How can I use "propagate across" in a sentence?

Use "propagate across" to describe how something spreads or becomes widely known. For example, "The new design quickly "propagated across" the company, influencing subsequent projects."

What can I say instead of "propagate across"?

You can use alternatives like "spread through", "disseminate throughout", or "extend over" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "propagate throughout" instead of "propagate across"?

While both are grammatically correct, "propagate across" implies movement over a surface or area, whereas "propagate throughout" suggests spreading evenly within a volume or space. Choose the phrase that best fits the context.

What's the difference between "propagate across" and "diffuse through"?

"Propagate across" often suggests a more active or intentional spread, whereas "diffuse through" implies a more passive or natural dispersion.