rate of spread

USAGE SUMMARY

"rate of spread" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use "rate of spread" when talking about the speed or rate at which something is spreading or increasing. Example: The rate of spread of the wildfire was alarming, with flames advancing at a rate of 5 acres per hour. Another example: The rate of spread of the virus is a cause for concern, with new cases increasing by 10% each day.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I couldn't believe the rate of spread.

The Guardian

The Bugbear's rate of spread is already speeding up rapidly.

The Guardian - Tech

They will also carry out massive migrations to new areas when crowding occurs, increasing their rate of spread.

Columbia University

If the plant is not addressed, the rate of spread might increase, resulting in greater ecological damage.

Columbia University

Determining the factors that influence the rate of spread of invasive species is an important goal for conservation biology.

Biological Conservation

A procedure to construct the graph and estimate the rate of spread along the edges of a network is discussed.

European Journal of Operational Research

These simulations were used to estimate the rate of spread of BYDV and to perform a range of sensitivity analyses.

Computers and Electronics in Agriculture

This work proposes a new thermal image processing method for computing the rate of spread (ROS) of forest fires.

Fire Safety Journal

A good agreement for the rate of spread was also observed for inclination angles below the critical angle.

Combustion and Flame

They found that changes in the rate of spread and the timing of peak mortality each year correlated with yearly fluctuations in monthly airline passenger volume.

The New York Times - Health

In fact, 9 out of 10 people infected worldwide do not know their serostatus, increasing the risk that the virus's already rapid rate of spread will escalate.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the spread of a phenomenon, be specific about the units of measurement. For example, instead of saying "the rate of spread was high", specify "the rate of spread was 10 cases per day".

Common error

Don't assume the reader understands what is spreading. Clearly define what is being measured; for instance, specify "the rate of spread of misinformation" rather than just "the rate of spread" to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rate of spread" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It represents a measurement or quantification of how quickly something is expanding or disseminating. Ludwig provides numerous examples across diverse contexts, confirming its established grammatical role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

33%

Academia

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rate of spread" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase to describe the speed at which something expands. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's common across science, news, and academic domains. To enhance clarity, specify the measurement units and the phenomenon being measured. Consider alternatives like "speed of expansion" or "pace of dissemination" for nuanced expression. Understanding its usage helps to communicate precisely in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

speed of expansion

Focuses on the velocity at which something increases in size or scope.

pace of dissemination

Emphasizes the distribution aspect, suggesting a controlled or managed process.

velocity of propagation

Implies a wave-like movement or transmission through a medium.

degree of advancement

Highlights the extent to which something is progressing or moving forward.

extent of infiltration

Suggests a gradual permeation or entry into a specific area or system.

level of diffusion

Refers to the scattering or dispersion of something across a wider area.

frequency of transmission

Specifically relates to how often something is passed on or conveyed.

measure of outreach

Highlights the scope of an effort to connect with or affect a target audience.

scope of penetration

Emphasizes the depth or thoroughness with which something affects an area or system.

progression timeline

Focuses on the chronological aspect of how something unfolds or develops.

FAQs

How is "rate of spread" typically measured?

The measurement of "rate of spread" varies depending on the context. For diseases, it might be new cases per day; for wildfires, acres burned per hour; and for invasive species, area covered per year.

What factors influence the "rate of spread"?

Factors influencing the "rate of spread" are diverse. They include environmental conditions, population density, intervention strategies, and the inherent characteristics of whatever is spreading.

What are some synonyms for "rate of spread"?

Alternatives to "rate of spread" include "speed of expansion", "pace of dissemination", and "velocity of propagation", each with slight differences in nuance.

How can the "rate of spread" be controlled or mitigated?

Controlling the "rate of spread" often involves targeted interventions. Examples include quarantine measures for diseases, containment strategies for wildfires, and eradication efforts for invasive species.