spread away from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spread away from" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used in contexts where something is dispersing or moving away from a central point, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "The smoke began to spread away from the fire, filling the air with a thick haze."

Science

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

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

Chemical Engineering Science

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

This layer is inferred to consist of basalt that formed where extrusions of basaltic magma at oceanic ridges have been added to the upper part of lithospheric plates as they spread away from the ridge crests.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is important for seeds to be spread away from parent plants, both to allow seedlings to escape competition with the parent and to expand the range of the species.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The banyan (F. benghalensis) and some related species have aerial roots that become greatly enlarged and spread away from the main stem, acting as auxiliary trunks to support the massive crowns.

Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

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

A collaborator at the Fashion East Man show during the last London Fashion Week, her influence is spreading away from the scene she nurtures.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In response to these daunting application-driven trends, a number of recent investigations have focused on the design, characterization, and fabrication of ultrathin vapor chambers for proximate heat spreading away from these hot spots.

Advances in Heat Transfer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the movement of something from a central point, consider using "spread away from" to emphasize the outward direction of the dispersal, particularly when describing abstract concepts or phenomena like disease or information.

Common error

Avoid using "spread away from" in scenarios where simpler alternatives like "moved from" or "left" would suffice. The phrase is more appropriate when emphasizing a dispersing or radiating movement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spread away from" primarily functions as a phrasal verb, indicating the action of dispersing or moving outwards from a specific location or source. It describes a directional movement, emphasizing the separation from an origin point, as shown by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

58%

Encyclopedias

17%

News & Media

13%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "spread away from" is a phrasal verb describing the action of something dispersing or moving outward from a particular point. While Ludwig AI notes it's not a standard expression, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts, particularly in science and encyclopedias, with a neutral formality. The phrase emphasizes the directional movement and spatial distribution from an origin. When using "spread away from", consider simpler alternatives for basic scenarios and focus on its descriptive power for dispersing movements. Remember that while grammatically sound, it may not always be the most common or natural choice. You may also use "disseminated away from", "spaced away from", or "propagated away from" as interchangeable alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

propagated away from

Suggests a more active and directional movement, often used in scientific contexts.

dispersal away from

Nominalizes the action of spreading, focusing on the process itself.

disseminated away from

Replaces "spread" with a more formal synonym, suggesting a wider or more deliberate distribution.

radiated away from

Suggests a spreading pattern that resembles radiation, moving outward in all directions.

moved outward from

Uses a more literal description of the action, emphasizing the direction of movement.

scattered away from

Implies a more random and less organized dispersal.

distribution away from

Highlights the final pattern resulting from the spreading action.

extended outward from

Highlights the expansion and reach of the spreading action.

spaced away from

Focuses on the distance created by the spreading action, implying separation.

expanded from

Focuses on the increase in size or area as something moves away from its origin.

FAQs

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

You can use "spread away from" to describe the movement of something from a central point, such as "The disease began to "spread away from" the city center".

What are some alternatives to "spread away from"?

Alternatives include "disseminated away from", "moved outward from", or "expanded from", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "spread away from" grammatically correct?

Yes, "spread away from" is grammatically acceptable, though it may not be the most common phrasing. Ludwig AI indicates it's not a standard expression but can be used when something is dispersing from a central point.

What contexts is "spread away from" most appropriate for?

"Spread away from" is often used in scientific or technical contexts to describe the movement or dispersal of phenomena like diseases, information, or physical substances. It's also fitting when describing the growth of a plant or the movement of tectonic plates, as shown in the provided examples.