spread around

USAGE SUMMARY

'spread around' is a valid phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe the distribution of something over a wide area. For example, "The news of the pandemic spread around the world quickly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They want it spread around by email.

The New York Times

Spread around, in fact, everything that you ever do.

Yale University

Word of the Knights' lopsided victories spread around Chicago.

The New York Times - Sports

There is some serious tobacco money being spread around".

The New York Times

"It's most effective when it's spread around widely".

Forbes

If discovered, it could spread around and backfire on you!

WikiHow

Word spread around Austin.

The Economist

Alarmed headlines spread around the globe.

The New York Times - Sports

The wealth is spread around.

The Guardian - Sport

And we were so spread around geographically.

The Guardian

A bit hard to spread around.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the distribution of resources or blame, consider using "spread around" to convey fairness or shared responsibility. For instance: "The responsibilities were spread around the team to ensure balanced workload."

Common error

While "spread around" is versatile, avoid overuse in highly formal writing. In business reports or academic papers, alternatives like "distributed widely" or "disseminated broadly" may lend a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "spread around" functions primarily as a verb of distribution or dissemination. It describes the action of dispersing something, whether it be information, resources, or blame, across a particular area or group. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Wiki

14%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Science

11%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "spread around" is a versatile phrasal verb used to describe the distribution or dissemination of something across an area or group. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. With very common usage, it is important to consider the context and register when using this phrase, as more formal alternatives may be appropriate in certain situations. The phrase sees frequent use in news and media, as well as academic and wiki contexts. Ludwig's examples provide a clear understanding of how to use "spread around" effectively, while related phrases such as "distribute widely" or "circulate freely" offer suitable alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distribute widely

Emphasizes the act of giving out or allocating something to numerous recipients or locations.

circulate freely

Highlights the uninhibited movement and reach of something, such as information or an idea.

disseminate broadly

Focuses on the intentional act of spreading information or knowledge to a large audience.

permeate throughout

Suggests that something gradually fills or penetrates every part of a space or system.

scatter about

Implies a less organized or random distribution of something over an area.

be dispersed

Highlights the act of something separating and moving in different directions.

fan out

Describes a spreading motion from a central point, similar to a folding fan.

diffuse through

Indicates a gradual spreading or mixing of something, often a substance or influence.

propagate rapidly

Emphasizes the fast and extensive spread of something, like a rumor or a belief.

become widespread

Indicates that something is common or prevalent across a large area or among many people.

FAQs

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

You can use "spread around" to describe the distribution of something over an area, like "The news quickly spread around the office" or the allocation of resources, like "The workload was spread around evenly".

What are some alternatives to "spread around"?

Depending on the context, you could use "distribute widely", "circulate freely", or "disseminate broadly" as alternatives to "spread around".

Is "spread around" appropriate for formal writing?

While "spread around" is generally acceptable, it may be more suitable for informal or neutral contexts. For formal writing, consider using more precise and sophisticated alternatives such as "distributed widely" or "disseminated broadly".

What's the difference between "spread around" and "scattered about"?

"Spread around" implies a more general distribution, while "scattered about" suggests a more random and disorganized arrangement. For example, "The seeds were spread around the garden" versus "Toys were scattered about the room".