propagation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "propagation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to the spread or transmission of something, such as information, waves, or plants. Example: "The propagation of sound waves can be affected by various environmental factors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Another is that planting stem cuttings, the usual way of propagating cassava, passes down disease more readily than propagation by seeds.

The Economist

"With her cardboard cards and her oatmeal boxes, Inge registered the velocity of propagation of the earthquakes to all parts of the globe.

The Guardian - Tech

"Within an hour we see pretty significant propagation of that content across the internet, and piracy is on the increase".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

What we can think about is why the soil was fertile: why was there the potential for a mass-audience viral explosion of interest in Capital in the Twenty-First Century rather than our standard set of viral propagation memes – cat videos and Buzzfeed's Twenty-Seven Things You Won't Regret When You Are Older?

The Guardian - Money

"These young people – who have come to learn how to strive against the propagation of stereotypes, from people who only see in immigration a source of illegality, social conflict and violence – can contribute much to show the world a church without borders," Francis wrote.

The Guardian

They need not ridicule such thinking, as Richard Dawkins might like, but they must not accede to its propagation.

The Economist

Back in the early 1950s, the metallurgy of metal fatigue and crack propagation was barely understood.

The Economist

Such agreements are anathema to many in Russia and other SCO countries, who see them as hypocritical and irrelevant to security.In practice, it is often either the propagation of common values (in the case of NATO) or common dislike of those values (in the case of the SCO) that provides the sort of glue that can hold an international body together.

The Economist

Eight years on, some of its students say that it has become the headquarters for the propagation of jihadi doctrines, churning out graduates such as John Walker Lindh, the American accused of fighting with the Taliban.

The Economist

At a minimum, Baghdad's fall helped to ensure that in some places, Islam's propagation was left to wandering Sufi preachers rather than conquering armies.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The emphasis was on learning, realized by adjusting the weights of the unit-to-unit connections in a layered neural network, typically by a back-propagation process that distributes credit or blame for a successful or unsuccessful output to the units involved in producing the output (Rumelhart and McClelland 1986).

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about the spread of information, choose "propagation" to emphasize a natural or organic dissemination process, rather than a forced or artificial spread.

Common error

Avoid using "propagation" when you actually mean "propaganda". "Propagation" refers to the spread of something, while "propaganda" is specifically information used to promote a particular point of view, often misleadingly.

Linguistic Context

The noun "propagation" primarily functions to describe the process by which something spreads or increases. Ludwig AI confirms that it aligns with standard grammatical conventions and is usable in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "propagation" is a versatile noun used to describe the spread or increase of something. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and usability across diverse contexts, from scientific phenomena to the dissemination of ideas. Its presence is prevalent in reputable sources such as The Economist, The Guardian and academic publications. While synonyms like "dissemination" and "proliferation" exist, choosing "propagation" implies a natural or organic process. To prevent confusion, writers should be mindful not to interchange it with "propaganda".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spread

A general term for something becoming more widely distributed.

multiplication

Focuses on the process of increasing in number or quantity.

dissemination

Focuses on the act of spreading information or ideas widely.

transmission

Implies the transfer of something from one place or person to another.

proliferation

Emphasizes a rapid increase or spread, often in a negative context.

diffusion

Highlights the process of something spreading out, often in a gradual manner.

expansion

Refers to an increase in size, volume, or scope.

escalation

Implies a rapid increase in intensity or severity.

outbreak

Suggests a sudden and widespread occurrence, often of disease or conflict.

advance

Highlights forward movement or progress.

FAQs

How is "propagation" used in scientific contexts?

In science, "propagation" often refers to the way waves, such as light or sound, travel through a medium. It can also refer to the reproduction of plants or the spread of diseases.

What's the difference between "propagation" and "proliferation"?

"Propagation" generally refers to the spread or transmission of something, while "proliferation" typically implies a rapid and often uncontrolled increase.

Can "propagation" be used in a negative context?

Yes, "propagation" can be used in negative contexts, such as the "propagation of misinformation" or the "propagation of harmful stereotypes".

What are some synonyms for "propagation"?

Synonyms for "propagation" include "dissemination", "spread", "transmission", and "diffusion", each carrying slightly different nuances.