spill over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spill over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something overflows or extends beyond its usual limits, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "The excitement from the event began to spill over into the surrounding community, bringing everyone together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

Many of those tensions spill over today.

The New York Times

Flowers spill over many surfaces.

The New York Times - Arts

Labor talks routinely spill over contract deadlines.

The New York Times

I even spill over into porno.

The New York Times - Magazine

But they could spill over to neighbouring countries too.

The Economist

That kind of waste may spill over into corporate decisions.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Unlike Denmark, institutional spill-over mechanisms were therefore not prevalent.

Comparative Migration Studies

An arterial spill-over fraction of 0.3 and a right ventricular spill-over fraction of 0.1 (dimensionless) were assumed in all settings.

EJNMMI Research

This is accompanied by increased "spill-over" of proinsulin (5).

Diabetes Care

Such studies may also have important spill-over effects.

Conflict and Health

This may have produced a spill-over effect.

BMC Family Practice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "spill over" to describe emotions or abstract concepts, ensure the context clearly indicates what is being metaphorically 'spilled' and where it is spreading to for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "spill over" when the intended meaning is simply 'affect' or 'influence' without the sense of exceeding boundaries or spreading beyond a specific area. Ensure that the context demonstrates a clear expansion or overflow effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spill over" functions primarily as a verb phrase, often used to describe how an event, feeling, or condition extends its influence or presence beyond its initial confines. As Ludwig AI confirms, this idiomatic usage is well-established.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Reference

5%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "spill over" is a versatile verb phrase frequently used to describe how something extends beyond its initial boundaries, often with consequential effects. Ludwig AI indicates its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and business. When using "spill over", ensure that the sense of exceeding limits and the scope of influence are clearly articulated. Alternatives such as "spread to" or "extend to" can be considered depending on the desired nuance. While acceptable in formal writing, maintaining clarity in metaphorical usage is crucial.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overflow into

Highlights the concept of exceeding limits and flowing into another space or situation.

spread to

Indicates a distribution or extension into a new area or context, implying a wider reach.

extend to

Suggests an expansion of influence, scope, or effect to encompass something further.

transfer to

Highlights the movement or transmission of something from one place or state to another.

carry over to

Implies a transfer or continuation of an effect or characteristic into a subsequent stage or context.

propagate to

Indicates the spreading or dissemination of something, often rapidly or widely.

trickle down to

Suggests a gradual transmission or impact reaching lower levels or wider audiences.

impact on

Focuses on the effect or influence exerted on something else as a result of an initial action or event.

influence

Emphasizes the power to affect or shape something indirectly, often across boundaries.

affect

A general term for having an impact or consequence on something, indicating a relationship or connection.

FAQs

How can I use "spill over" in a sentence?

You can use "spill over" to describe something that extends beyond its original boundaries or limits, such as "The excitement from the event began to spill over into the surrounding community."

What can I say instead of "spill over"?

You can use alternatives like "spread to", "extend to", or "overflow into" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "spill over" and "affect"?

"Spill over" implies a spread or overflow beyond an initial boundary, while "affect" simply means to have an influence or impact without necessarily exceeding limits.

Is "spill over" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "spill over" is acceptable in formal writing, especially when describing the indirect consequences or broader impacts of events or decisions, although more formal alternatives may sometimes be preferable.