rife

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "rife" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective that means widespread or common. For example, "Crime is rife in this city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Corruption is rife.

The New York Times

So, here were two snapshots about sexual assault: one showing that, while false rape accusations are relatively rare, rape denial still remains rife, even among some police – the very people who hold the key to any kind of justice.

The Guardian - Opinion

Speculation about her involvement has been rife since the scandal was revealed following the shooting of budget director Paul Mphwiyo in September.

The Guardian

The case against Pussy Riot, conducted at lightning speed and rife with procedural abnormalities, highlighted the politicised nature of Russia's court system.

The Guardian - Music

Persborg is only a short bike ride from the centre of Malmö, Sweden's third largest city, but it is an area rife with social and environmental problems.

The Guardian

There is little respect for government authority in a region still emerging from civil war and where corruption is rife.

The Guardian

Misconceptions are particularly rife in a prison setting, says Peter Magati, the officer in charge of welfare at the prison: "Education levels are often low and the problem is compounded by practices such as sex in exchange for food, sharing of sharp objects and little access to condoms".

The Guardian

In Murcia, the south-east corner of the country, where over-building was most rife, prices are still falling at a rate of 12%-15 12%-15r, with many homes at half of 2008 levels.

The Guardian - Money

Agreeing with recent remarks made by Carey Mulligan that sexism remains rife within the industry, she adds: "Certainly there aren't nearly enough female film directors, there aren't enough women screenwriters and producers.

The Guardian - Film

Its future is foretold in the US, where higher education markets are entrenched and sexual violence is rife.

The Guardian

The original hope had been to travel to North Waziristan, a far more dangerous area rife with militants drawn from across the world.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rife" to describe something negative that's widespread. For instance, "The city was rife with corruption."

Common error

Avoid using "rife" to describe positive situations. The word typically carries a negative connotation, so using it in a positive context can sound awkward or incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The word "rife" functions primarily as an adjective. Ludwig AI confirms its usage to describe a state where something, often negative, is widespread or prevalent, as evidenced in the examples provided. It modifies nouns to indicate abundance, especially of undesirable things.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rife" is an adjective used to describe the widespread presence of something, typically negative. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. Predominantly found in news and media sources, the word serves to emphasize the extent and pervasiveness of undesirable situations. Remember to use "rife" when you want to highlight the abundance of something negative, like "corruption" or "crime", and avoid using it in positive contexts. Be careful with its negative connotation, and use related terms such as "widespread" or "prevalent" when a more neutral tone is desired. As such, "rife" is considered grammatically correct, relatively frequent, and best suited for more formal, analytical contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

widespread

Similar in meaning but more general, indicating broad distribution rather than necessarily negative prevalence.

prevalent

Suggests widespread existence, often used in formal contexts.

common

Indicates frequency without necessarily implying negativity or overabundance.

rampant

Emphasizes unrestrained or unchecked spread, often with negative connotations.

teeming

Suggests abundance and active presence, often used for living things.

abundant

Focuses on plentiful quantity, lacking the negative implications of "rife".

overrun

Implies being invaded or dominated by something.

awash

Suggests being flooded or saturated with something.

littered

Suggests scattered presence, often of undesirable things.

infested

Indicates presence of unwanted creatures or pests.

FAQs

How do you use "rife" in a sentence?

"Rife" is used to describe something, typically negative, that is widespread or common. For example, "The area was "rife with crime"."

What can I say instead of "rife"?

You can use alternatives like "widespread", "prevalent", or "rampant" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say something is "rife with opportunity"?

While grammatically correct, it's less common because "rife" typically implies negative prevalence. Consider alternatives like "abundant in opportunity" or "teeming with opportunity" for a more positive connotation.

What's the difference between "rife" and "common"?

"Common" simply indicates frequency, while "rife" implies that something is not only frequent but also undesirable or problematic. Something that is "rife" is usually seen as a negative issue that is widespread.