spread across

USAGE SUMMARY

"spread across" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It basically means to be distributed over a wide area, or to cover a large area. For example, you might say "The olive groves spread across the rolling hills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

American bases spread across Britain.

The New York Times

Gloom spread across their faces.

The New York Times - Sports

His topping spread across America.

The Economist

Cobwebs spread across storefronts.

The Washington Post

A flush spread across his face.

The New Yorker

The asylum-seekers are spread across Germany.

The Economist

Red revolution spread across the Reich.

Independent

Contagion will spread across the euro zone.

The Economist

And it spread across the world.

The New York Times

A wide smile spread across his face.

The New York Times - Sports

A smile spread across his face.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "spread across" to describe the distribution of something over a geographical area, a group of people, or a range of topics. For instance, "The responsibilities were spread across the team members".

Common error

Avoid using "spread across" when referring to abstract concepts that don't involve physical distribution. Instead of saying "The information was spread across the internet" consider "The information was widely available on the internet."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spread across" primarily functions as a phrasal verb, indicating the distribution or extension of something over an area, population, or range. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

20%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "spread across" is a versatile and grammatically correct phrasal verb widely used to describe the distribution or extension of something over an area, group, or range. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, supported by numerous examples across diverse contexts. It is commonly found in news articles, academic papers, and general writing, maintaining a neutral to formal tone. While "spread across" is generally appropriate, be mindful of the context and consider alternatives like "extend throughout" or "be distributed among" where more precise language is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extend throughout

Focuses on the act of reaching or stretching through an area.

permeate throughout

Implies a thorough penetration or influence within something.

cover the entirety of

Highlights the completeness of the coverage.

be distributed among

Emphasizes the allocation or division among multiple entities.

reach all parts of

Stresses the extent of influence or access.

expand over

Focuses on the process of growth and occupation of an area.

span the width of

Highlights the measurement across a specific dimension.

blanket the surface of

Implies a covering action over a surface.

scattered among

Suggests a dispersed or irregular distribution.

diffuse through

Focuses on the gradual spreading or mixing within a medium.

FAQs

How can I use "spread across" in a sentence?

Use "spread across" to describe the distribution of something over an area or group. For example, "The rumors spread across the town quickly", or "Responsibilities were spread across the team".

What are some alternatives to "spread across"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "extend throughout", "permeate throughout", or "be distributed among".

Is it correct to say "spread across" or "spread over"?

Both "spread across" and "spread over" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Spread across" emphasizes distribution throughout an area, while "spread over" emphasizes covering a surface.

What's the difference between "spread across" and "distributed among"?

"Spread across" implies a more diffuse distribution, whereas "distributed among" suggests a more organized or deliberate allocation to specific entities.