spread of ideas

USAGE SUMMARY

"spread of ideas" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a phenomenon in which new ideas are shared and adopted by a larger number of people. For example, you could say: "The spread of ideas about democracy and self-governance led to the end of colonialism in the Americas."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Phones turbocharge the spread of ideas.

The Guardian

But cities afford an even larger, dynamic source of efficiency gains - the spread of ideas.

The Guardian

Geographic distance, political squabbles, internal competition, and bad incentive systems may hinder the spread of ideas.

Harvard Business Review

Applications discussed include the viral spread of ideas, maximizing influence, and the contagion of economic downturns.

Harvard University

The predominant peace forged by the empire made the spread of ideas, including Christian ones, all the easier.

The New York Times - Books

For example, by controlling the spread of ideas, he improved the performance of a group of currency traders.

The Economist

"The resulting control on the spread of ideas is stricter than anyone would have thought possible in a free society".

The New York Times - Books

Do you think these periodicals helped the spread of ideas at the time the nation was founded?

The New York Times

The spread of the railroad and telegraph facilitated the spread of ideas and activities throughout the country.

The New York Times - Books

On the basis of this evidence, and contrary to a common expectation, the spread of ideas seems neither straightforward nor especially rapid in the academy.

Research Policy

We suggest ways to build on the collaborative spirit and reduce the field fragmentation so as to improve the development and spread of ideas.

Ecological Modelling

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "spread of ideas" when emphasizing the broad distribution and adoption of concepts. For example, you could write: "The internet has significantly accelerated the "spread of ideas" across geographical boundaries."

Common error

Avoid using "spread of ideas" in overly abstract or academic contexts where a more concrete verb might be more effective. Instead of saying "The "spread of ideas" was facilitated by the printing press", consider "The printing press facilitated the dissemination of ideas".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spread of ideas" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the process by which concepts are disseminated and become widely known or adopted. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and suitable for use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

33%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "spread of ideas" refers to the dissemination and adoption of new concepts. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used. It commonly appears in news, scientific, and academic contexts, as well as being appropriate for describing various social, cultural, and technological developments. Alternatives include "diffusion of concepts" and "dissemination of information". When writing, consider using the phrase to emphasize the broad distribution of a concept and avoid overuse in overly abstract contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

diffusion of concepts

Focuses on the process by which ideas are disseminated and adopted.

propagation of thought

Emphasizes the act of spreading ideas and their influence on people's thinking.

circulation of knowledge

Highlights the distribution and exchange of information and understanding.

dissemination of information

Focuses on the widespread distribution of facts and data.

transmission of concepts

Highlights the process of ideas being passed from one entity to another.

acceptance of innovations

Emphasizes the adoption and integration of new ideas and practices.

popularization of theories

Focuses on making complex ideas accessible and widely understood.

contagion of beliefs

Emphasizes the rapid and widespread adoption of new beliefs or ideologies.

upsurge of opinions

Emphasizes a sudden increase and expansion of certain views.

advancement of knowledge

Highlights the progression and expansion of understanding in a particular field.

FAQs

How can I use "spread of ideas" in a sentence?

You can use "spread of ideas" to discuss how concepts are disseminated and adopted. For instance: "The internet facilitated the rapid spread of ideas", or "Globalization has accelerated the spread of ideas across cultures".

What is a good alternative to "spread of ideas"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "diffusion of concepts", "dissemination of information", or "circulation of knowledge".

Is "spread of ideas" grammatically correct?

Yes, "spread of ideas" is grammatically correct and commonly used in both formal and informal contexts.

What factors contribute to the "spread of ideas"?

Factors that contribute to the "spread of ideas" include effective communication, social networks, technological advancements, and cultural acceptance.