spread out

USAGE SUMMARY

"spread out" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe the act of distributing something in a wider area or to indicate the distance between two or more things. For example, "The students spread out across the school yard for their morning recess."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We all spread out again.

The New Yorker

The top trainers are spread out geographically.

The New York Times - Sports

"They basically forced them to spread out".

The New York Times

LP are spread out more widely.

The New York Times

The cops spread out along the platform.

The New Yorker

Spread out your risk.

Forbes

Instead, they spread out across their cages.

Science Magazine

Should they spread out?

Huffington Post

They spread out, advancing in several directions.

Wikipedia

Spread out each color.

WikiHow

Spread out some newspaper.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to arrange items, use "spread out" to ensure even distribution and prevent clumping. For example, "Spread out the fertilizer evenly across the garden bed."

Common error

Avoid using "spread out" when referring to the dissemination of information or ideas. Instead, opt for words like "disseminate", "circulate", or "propagate" for greater accuracy and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "spread out" functions primarily to describe the action of extending, distributing, or arranging something over a wider area or a longer duration. This can apply to physical objects, as seen in Ludwig's examples like "Spread out the cards" or abstract concepts like "Spread out your visits".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Wiki

32%

News & Media

26%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "spread out" is a versatile phrasal verb used to describe the act of extending or distributing something across an area or time frame. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and its prevalence in various contexts. While commonly found in news, media and wikis, and occasionally in scientific and formal business settings, it's important to choose more precise alternatives like "disseminate" or "circulate" when discussing abstract concepts. When giving instruction to distribute items, "spread out" is a good choice to achieve an even distribution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fan out

Implies a radial expansion from a central point, suggesting a more organized and directional dispersal than "spread out".

disperse

Suggests a scattering or driving away, often implying a less controlled or more forced distribution compared to "spread out".

expand

Focuses on the increase in size or scope, emphasizing growth rather than the spatial arrangement implied by "spread out".

scatter

Implies a random distribution, suggesting a less deliberate arrangement than "spread out".

extend

Highlights the lengthening or prolongation of something, focusing on linear expansion rather than general distribution unlike "spread out".

distribute

Emphasizes the act of giving out or allocating something, differing from "spread out" which focuses on the resulting spatial arrangement.

unfurl

Suggests the opening up or revealing of something that was previously folded or rolled, offering a specific imagery not present in "spread out".

space out

Highlights the intentional creation of gaps or intervals between items, adding a layer of planning not necessarily implied by "spread out".

allot

Focuses on the assignment of portions or shares, differing from "spread out" which emphasizes spatial arrangement

allocate

Implies a formal or official distribution of resources or tasks, suggesting a more structured arrangement than the general dispersal of "spread out".

FAQs

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

You can use "spread out" to describe the act of arranging items over a surface, like "Spread out the cards on the table", or to describe people moving to cover a wider area, such as "The search party will "fan out" to increase the area covered".

What's the difference between "spread out" and "scatter"?

"Spread out" often implies a more deliberate action of arranging things, while "scatter" suggests a more random or uncontrolled distribution.

What are some synonyms for "spread out" when describing a group of people?

When describing a group, you could use alternatives such as ""fan out"", "disperse", or "string out depending on the nuance you want to convey".

Is it correct to say "the costs are spread out"?

Yes, it's correct. It means the costs are distributed over a period of time or among different entities to ease the financial burden. However, in formal contexts, using alternatives like "distribute the costs" might be preferable.