spread people

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spread people" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to describe the act of distributing or dispersing individuals, but it lacks clarity and context. Example: "The event organizers decided to spread people across different areas to ensure everyone had enough space."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

As word of mouth spread, people bought tickets just to hear her.

The Guardian

As word of the shows spread, people began travelling to the warehouse from hours away.

The New Yorker

As word spread, people in parts of the city took to the streets in spontaneous celebration.

The New York Times

"When you spread people out, you don't really become a vertical team," Coach Herman Edwards said.

The New York Times - Sports

Through the years, as his reputation spread, people started to bring him other mementoes.

The New York Times

Son Phones 'Ma' Before Dying As word spread, people raced to the factory: mothers, fathers, husbands, wives and gawkers.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

And it spreads people out".

The New York Times - Travel

Why, if this is spreads, people might start going to them.

The Guardian - Opinion

Rather than spreading people across a bell curve, it now seeks simply to have what it calls Best Talent.

Harvard Business Review

As the technology improves and broadband access spreads, people will grow more comfortable with the idea of using their computer to make voice calls.

Forbes

There is a common view that the Internet itself is Balkanizing and spreading people into point of view communities.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you intend to convey the idea of distributing individuals across a space or task, consider using more precise and widely understood phrases like "disperse individuals" or "allocate resources" instead of "spread people".

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "spread people" as it lacks a clear and universally accepted meaning. Opt for more specific and descriptive language to ensure your message is easily understood.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spread people" primarily functions as a verb phrase with a noun, attempting to describe the action of distributing or dispersing individuals. However, according to Ludwig AI, the phrase is not correct and lacks clarity, leading to ambiguity in its grammatical function.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "spread people" appears in some contexts, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect and lacks a clear, universally understood meaning. Ludwig AI analysis confirms this ambiguity, suggesting that it's better to use more precise alternatives like "disperse individuals" or "allocate resources" to avoid confusion.

Based on the available examples, it appears most frequently in News & Media contexts, but its overall frequency is still uncommon. Due to these limitations, it's advisable to avoid using "spread people" in formal writing or professional communication to ensure clarity and accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disperse individuals

Focuses on the act of scattering or distributing individuals over a wide area.

distribute attendees

Specifically refers to allocating attendees across different locations or activities.

scatter the crowd

Implies breaking up a gathered group and sending them in different directions.

deploy personnel

Suggests a strategic placement of individuals, often in a professional or organizational context.

allocate resources

Focuses on the assignment of resources, including people, to different tasks or areas.

redistribute population

Involves altering the distribution of people across a geographical area.

assign staff

Refers to the act of giving staff members specific roles or responsibilities.

divide the group

Implies separating a group into smaller units.

fan out

Describes a spreading movement from a central point, like a hand of cards being laid out.

space out

Indicates creating distance between individuals or objects.

FAQs

What does "spread people" mean?

The phrase "spread people" is not standard English and its meaning is ambiguous. It could refer to distributing people across a physical area or allocating them to different tasks.

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

It's generally better to avoid "spread people" and use clearer alternatives like "disperse individuals" or "allocate resources", depending on your intended meaning.

What are some alternatives to "spread people"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases such as "distribute attendees", "deploy personnel", or "redistribute population".

Is "spread people" grammatically correct?

While the individual words are grammatically sound, the phrase "spread people" itself doesn't conform to standard English usage and is generally considered incorrect.