spill over into

USAGE SUMMARY

"spill over into" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a situation where one thing affects or influences another, often in a negative or unintended way. For example: "The stress from work can spill over into personal relationships." Alternative expressions include "overflow into," "extend into," and "carry over into."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The government hopes this will spill over into other sectors and help diversify the economy.

The Economist

But the internet revolution really did spill over into the rest of business and finance.

The Economist

Should you not, information overload is likely to spill over into your private life.

Science Magazine

For years experts have been warning that this crisis would spill over into other countries.

BBC

Meeting integration will spill over into other Zoho apps as well, through integration with Zoho Chat.

TechCrunch

Should the definition of mobile "wellness" spill over into how we define "mHealth"?

TechCrunch

I even spill over into porno.

The New York Times - Magazine

That kind of waste may spill over into corporate decisions.

The New Yorker

Their lives seem to spill over into ours.

The New York Times

That can spill over into hostility to the state.

The New York Times

Dr. Chu predicted that some of that would spill over into the grid.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "spill over into" to describe how an event or situation in one area begins to affect another, often unexpectedly or undesirably. For example, "Economic problems in one country can spill over into global markets".

Common error

While "spill over into" is acceptable, it may sound informal in certain professional or academic settings. Opt for more formal alternatives like "extend to" or "impact on" to maintain a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spill over into" primarily functions as a phrasal verb taking a preposition, indicating how an action, event, or situation extends its influence or effect onto something else. Ludwig provides numerous examples showcasing this function in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "spill over into" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe how something begins to affect another area. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across news, scientific, and business contexts. While it often carries a slightly negative connotation, its straightforward meaning makes it versatile. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "extend to" or "impact on". Remember to use "spill over into" when you want to convey a sense of unintended consequence or the spread of something beyond its original boundaries.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

carry over to

Emphasizes the transfer of something from one area to another, similar to "spill over" but without the negative connotation.

extend to

Focuses on the reach or scope of an effect, rather than the unintended or secondary nature.

transfer to

Focuses on the movement or conveyance from one to another, reducing the sense of unintentional spread.

impact on

Highlights the effect or influence on something else, removing the sense of overflow.

filter down to

Implies a gradual or hierarchical effect, suggesting that influence moves downwards through levels.

trickle down to

Similar to "filter down to", emphasizing a slow and gradual effect.

propagate to

Suggests a spread or dissemination, often used for abstract concepts or phenomena.

affect

A more direct and general term for influence, lacking the nuance of unintended consequence.

influence

Similar to affect, but implies a more subtle or persuasive impact.

permeate to

Suggests a thorough and pervasive influence that spreads throughout something.

FAQs

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

You can use "spill over into" to describe how an event or situation in one area begins to affect another, often unexpectedly. For example: "The conflict in one region could "spill over into" neighboring countries".

What does "spill over into" mean?

"Spill over into" means that something, typically a problem or effect, starts to spread and affect another area or thing. It implies an unintended or unwanted consequence.

What are some alternatives to "spill over into"?

Alternatives to "spill over into" include "extend to", "impact on", or "affect". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "spill over into" a negative expression?

While "spill over into" is often used in negative contexts, it is not inherently negative. It simply describes the spread of something from one area to another, regardless of whether that thing is positive or negative. However, due to its association with problems and unintended consequences, it's more commonly used in negative contexts.