propagate to

USAGE SUMMARY

"propagate to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express the idea of spreading an idea, influence, or message to a new location or group of people. For example: "The message of freedom quickly propagated to people in other countries."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Primaries can propagate to altitudes as low as 100 km (60 miles).

Britannica

Changes made once can propagate to all members of the server group without any additional effort.

Configuring Symantec AntiVirus Enterprise Edition

As failures propagate to higher crustal levels, they are likely to change into inclined normal faults.

Tectonophysics

This differs from what was observed for the mainshock in which the rupture was observed to propagate to the north.

University of California, Berkeley

HF communications can propagate to long distances via refraction (bending) of the electromagnetic waves by the ionosphere.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The pervasive links between CPS elements improve their connectivity, but inevitably enable failures to propagate to large-scale disasters.

Computers & Industrial Engineering

Very often, a simple change in one part may propagate to its neighboring parts, therefore affecting the entire product assembly.

e-Design Computer-Aided Engineering Design

There are many interesting games and applications in development, but nothing that demonstrates VR's necessity, or why it should propagate to new platforms with such urgency.

MIT Technology Review

Move a file into Box, and the file becomes available on many devices; change the file, and the alterations propagate to the other devices as well.

MIT Technology Review

These candidates propagate to the next generation.

Complex Adaptive Systems Modeling

And these technologies instantly propagate to the U.S.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "propagate to" to describe how effects, signals, or information spread or extend to influence another area or group. Be specific about what is propagating and where it is going.

Common error

Avoid using "propagate to" in contexts where simpler words like "reach" or "extend" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "propagate to" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of something spreading or extending towards a specific destination or target. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts, from errors spreading to signal propagation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "propagate to" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe how something spreads or extends to a particular location or group. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable in diverse contexts. Predominantly found in scientific and technical writings, "propagate to" accurately conveys the transmission or dissemination of information, signals, or effects. While alternatives like "spread to" or "extend to" may be suitable in some cases, "propagate to" offers a specific and precise way to articulate the movement and influence of something from one point to another.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extend to

Focuses more on physical reach or scope.

spread to

Emphasizes a wider distribution or dissemination.

reach

Implies arrival at a specific destination or point.

transmit to

Suggests sending something from one place to another.

carry over to

Indicates that something from one context influences another.

percolate to

Implies a gradual and subtle spread.

disseminate to

Emphasizes wide distribution, often of information.

diffuse to

Highlights a gradual spreading or mixing.

pass on to

Implies a transfer or handing down of something.

infiltrate into

Suggests entering or permeating something gradually or surreptitiously.

FAQs

What does "propagate to" mean?

The phrase "propagate to" means to spread or extend to a particular location, group, or medium. It often implies a transfer of something, whether it's information, a signal, or an effect.

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

You can use "propagate to" to describe how information, errors, or even physical phenomena spread. For example: "The error in the initial calculation "propagated to" the final results."

What are some alternatives to "propagate to"?

Alternatives to "propagate to" include "spread to", "extend to", or "reach", depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "propagate to" in formal writing?

Yes, "propagate to" is suitable for formal writing, especially in scientific or technical contexts where it accurately describes the spread or transmission of something. In informal writing simpler alternatives like "spread to" might be more appropriate.