spread away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spread away" is not correct and not commonly used in written English.
It may be intended to convey the idea of dispersing or moving apart, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "The seeds will spread away from the plant as the wind blows."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

The skyscrapers of Manhattan spread away to the south.

The Guardian - Sport

The propagation of the non-zero axial velocity field, which is spread away from the fingertips, explains this effect.

Chemical Engineering Science

The Shannon Callows, water meadows still flooded from winter, spread away beyond a stone wall enclosing leaping black lambs.

The New York Times - Travel

Most cancer-related deaths are caused by metastases, or secondary tumors in distant locations of the body that have spread away from the original, primary tumor.

Stanford University

As the species spread away from the tropical parasites and diseases of its African origins, mortality rates declined and population increased.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They originate at the volcanic line, so that the outer bounding submarine ridge, or third arc, represents an older portion of the volcanic line that has spread away.

Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

On Figueroa Street, a main thoroughfare that runs past the arena, phalanxes of police in riot gear slowly spread out away from the arena as news and police helicopters hovered overhead.

The New York Times

Cell division begins near the bud in each shoot and then spreads away from it.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"It is spreading away from the major markets and into the secondary and tertiary resorts".

The New York Times

These lavas are progressively buried by sediments as the seafloor spreads away from the site.

Britannica

An event of major significance was the spreading away of Australia from Antarctica beginning about 58 million years ago.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing movement from a central point, consider using more common and grammatically accepted alternatives such as "spread out" or "disperse" to ensure clarity and avoid potential misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid using "spread away" in formal writing, as it's not a standard or widely recognized phrasal verb. Opt for more conventional expressions to maintain credibility and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spread away" functions as a phrasal verb, suggesting movement or expansion from a central point. However, as Ludwig AI notes, it is not a standard expression in English, so it's better to rely on other, more common alternatives.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

21%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Academia

12%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "spread away" appears in various contexts, Ludwig AI identifies it as not grammatically correct. This suggests it's best to use the phrase with caution. Its function typically involves describing movement outwards from a central location. Given the availability of more standard alternatives like "spread out", "disperse", or "extend outwards", these options should be preferred for clarity and grammatical correctness. Although it appears in different source types, from academic to scientific sources, and news sources, these alternative formulations are better suited for formal writing and clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disperse

Single word alternative implying scattering or moving in various directions.

extend outwards

Highlights the action of reaching or stretching from a central point.

radiate outwards

Suggests movement from a central point, similar to light or heat.

diverge

Implies moving in different directions from a common point.

fan out

Describes spreading like a fan, widening from a narrow point.

move outwards

Simple alternative referring to motion away from the center.

scatter

Highlights the random distribution of elements moving away.

propagate

Focuses on the spreading or transmission, often in a wave-like manner.

expand

Describes the process of becoming larger or more extensive.

branch out

Similar to diverging, suggesting splitting into multiple paths.

FAQs

What does "spread away" mean?

While not a standard phrase, "spread away" generally implies moving outwards or dispersing from a central location. Consider using alternatives such as "spread out" or "disperse" for better clarity.

How can I use "spread away" in a sentence correctly?

Given that "spread away" isn't a standard phrase, it's best to rephrase your sentence using established alternatives. For example, instead of "The crowd spread away from the stage", try "The crowd spread out from the stage".

What are some alternatives to "spread away"?

Several alternatives can replace "spread away", depending on the context. These include "disperse", "radiate outwards", "fan out", and "extend outwards".

Is "spread away" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig AI's analysis, "spread away" is not considered a standard or grammatically correct phrase in English. It is advisable to use more established alternatives to ensure clear communication.