spread across the table

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spread across the table" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe items or materials that are laid out or distributed over the surface of a table. Example: "The documents were spread across the table, making it easy for everyone to review them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The photographs are spread across the table.

The New York Times

In the office of Pam Iorio, who, at forty-nine, is Tampa's mayor, a map was spread across the table.

The New Yorker

Earlier in the day, Kutchinsky and Kaiser printed out a list of coping strategies that another group's members had found useful, cutting each description into thin rectangles, which they now spread across the table, facedown.

The New York Times - Magazine

Spread across the table in the windowless interview room were a half- dozen snapshots of a thin, dark-haired boy not much older than Philip, frowning at the camera.

The New Yorker

Spread across the table were flyers announcing a "Psychedelic Fringe" party at One-Eyed Jacks, on Toulouse Street, on Friday night, the Krewe du Vieux parade on Saturday, the Krewe du Jieux's crowning of Andrei Codrescu as "King of the Jieux" at its own event, and a meeting of Frederick Douglass High School parents on Tuesday.

The New Yorker

It was always easy to identify the remnants of him -- the Parmesan cheese hidden in drawers, cereal spread across the table, pools of urine on the bathroom floor.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

He flipped open a pocket folder and spread across the conference table notes, outlines, and documents.

The New Yorker

Articles like his read with The Times spread across the breakfast table on a lazy Sunday morning make an admiring and grateful reader reflect.

Los Angeles Times

I had months and months of credit-card bills spread across the dining-room table, and I quickly confessed the full horror of what they contained.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Here they are together," Susan Walker said, reaching for one of many photographs spread across the dining room table of her longtime northern New Jersey home.

The New York Times - Sports

Smoking and poor diet showed similar social patterning, although the patterns for heavy drinking and low physical activity were more evenly spread across the socioeconomic spectrum (Table 2).

Brain, Behavior, and Immunity

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "spread across the table" to vividly describe the arrangement of items, such as documents, photographs, or food, creating a visual image of their distribution.

Common error

Avoid using incorrect prepositions after "spread". "Spread on the table" or "spread over the table" are less common and can sound awkward compared to "spread across the table".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spread across the table" functions as a descriptive element, typically within a clause. Ludwig examples show it's used to depict the arrangement or distribution of objects on a table surface. The phrase provides a visual detail, enhancing the reader's understanding of a scene or situation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "spread across the table" is a grammatically correct descriptive phrase used to illustrate the arrangement or distribution of items on a table. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its accuracy and usability. It commonly appears in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. Related phrases include "laid out on the table" and "scattered across the table", each subtly altering the image conveyed. A key writing tip is to use the phrase for a vivid description. Although its use is relatively uncommon, the phrase is generally acceptable in a neutral register and easily understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

laid out on the table

Emphasizes the action of placing items intentionally on the table.

arranged on the table

Suggests a more organized and deliberate placement.

scattered across the table

Implies a less orderly or random distribution.

displayed on the table

Highlights the presentation aspect, focusing on making items visible.

covering the table

Focuses on the extent to which the items occupy the table surface.

littered across the table

Indicates a messy or disorganized arrangement.

strewn across the table

Similar to scattered, but with a slightly more poetic or dramatic tone.

distributed across the table

Highlights the action of dividing items among different parts of the table.

covering the entirety of the table

Emphasizes the complete and expansive coverage of the table surface.

occupying the table's surface

A more formal and descriptive way of saying that items are present on the table.

FAQs

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

You can use "spread across the table" to describe items that are distributed or laid out on a table surface. For example: "The documents were "spread across the table", making it easy for everyone to review them."

What are some alternatives to "spread across the table"?

Alternatives include "laid out on the table", "arranged on the table", or "scattered across the table", depending on the context and level of organization.

Is it correct to say "spread on the table" instead of "spread across the table"?

While "spread on the table" is understandable, ""spread across the table"" is more common and grammatically preferred when describing items distributed over a surface.

What's the difference between "scattered across the table" and "spread across the table"?

"Scattered across the table" implies a more random and disorganized distribution, whereas ""spread across the table"" suggests a more even or intentional arrangement, though it might still not be perfectly neat.