spread apart

USAGE SUMMARY

"spread apart" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are describing something that is separated from other things or placed in different positions. For example, "The children were spread apart so that they could each work on their own artistic projects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Fingers spread apart.

The New York Times - Arts

"It helps that the houses are spread apart.

The New York Times

"Being that they're spread apart, a part is missing".

The New York Times

It is seeing his face, his thick fingers spread apart in compliance.

The Washington Post

The scales spread apart at maturity to release the ripe fruit.

Britannica

As they do, the islands, which start out nearly touching each other, spread apart.

MIT Technology Review

When the corners of the chip are pulled, the coils unwind, and the islands spread apart.

MIT Technology Review

She lifts her hands above her head, fingers spread apart, and does a quick shaking dance.

The New York Times - Style

It just worked – it's so rock'n'roll with the legs spread apart.

The Guardian - Music

I'm still in touch with people, but it's much harder work – everyone has been spread apart.

The Guardian

With few exceptions, damselflies hold their wings vertically and together, rather than horizontally and spread apart.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "spread apart" to clearly indicate that items or elements are not close together, ensuring spatial relationships are easily understood by the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "spread apart" in contexts where a more precise term like "distributed", "scattered", or "spaced out" would provide a clearer or more vivid description.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "spread apart" functions primarily as a descriptive term indicating the spatial arrangement of objects or elements, meaning they are positioned at a distance from each other. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Wiki

28%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

12%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "spread apart" is a versatile phrasal verb used to describe the spatial arrangement of objects or elements that are positioned at a distance from each other. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and finds frequent application across diverse contexts such as news, encyclopedias, and wikis. While it maintains a generally neutral register, being adaptable to various writing styles, remember to consider more precise alternatives like "distributed" or "spaced out" to enhance clarity depending on the scenario. Using "spread apart" effectively ensures clear communication of spatial relationships in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spaced out

Focuses on the even distribution of items across a given space, similar to "spread apart" but emphasizes regularity.

distributed

Highlights the dispersal aspect, often implying a deliberate arrangement, which is a facet of "spread apart".

scattered

Suggests a random dispersal, differing slightly from "spread apart" in that it lacks the implication of intentional arrangement.

separated

Emphasizes the detachment or division between elements, a key aspect of "spread apart".

extended

Implies an expansion or stretching out, related to "spread apart" in the sense of increasing distance.

arranged

Focuses on the intentional placement of items, which can result in them being "spread apart".

dispersed

Highlights the act of scattering, similar to "scattered", and carries the same nuance of randomness.

unfurled

Specifically indicates the action of opening or unfolding something, leading to its parts being "spread apart".

dilated

Describes the widening or enlarging of something, closely related to the idea of components being "spread apart".

diverged

Implies a branching out or moving in different directions from a central point, which results in separation.

FAQs

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

You can use "spread apart" to describe objects or people that are positioned at a distance from each other. For instance, "The houses were "spaced apart" to prevent fire from spreading quickly".

What's a good alternative to "spread apart"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "spaced out", "distributed", or "scattered" to convey similar meanings.

When is it appropriate to use "spread apart" instead of "separated"?

"Spread apart" typically emphasizes the spatial arrangement and distribution of items, whereas "separated" simply indicates a division or detachment. Use "spread apart" when highlighting the arrangement over an area.

Is "spread apart" formal enough for academic writing?

Yes, "spread apart" is acceptable in academic writing, but consider whether a more precise term might be more appropriate for your specific context. For example, in a scientific paper, "dispersed" or "distributed" might be preferable.