spread the love

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spread the love" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to encourage kindness, positivity, or generosity among people. Example: "During the holiday season, let's all spread the love by helping those in need."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

He can spread the love.

The New York Times

We need to spread the love around.

The Guardian

Boston loved Poe, and N.Y.C. poets spread the love.

The New Yorker

"Keep fundraising for different causes, spread the love!" Otubu.

The Guardian

It's a cheeky, bare-bones site designed to spread the love for stuff that matters.

The New York Times

Quite rightly, Appleton was keen to spread the love across his whole team.

Independent

To spread the love, the researchers propose a new label for such animals: Cinderella species.

The New York Times

It was never the obligation of Woods to spread the love among the black community.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

It's all about spreading the love.

The Guardian - Music

Mayer is a Democrat; Ballmer spreads the love; where are Zuck, Page & Bezos?

The New York Times

But let's start with the positives, because we're all about spreading the love.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "spread the love" when you want to encourage acts of kindness, generosity, or positivity. It's suitable for informal contexts and can add a warm, encouraging tone.

Common error

While "spread the love" is generally acceptable, avoid using it excessively, especially in formal writing. Overuse can make your writing sound cliché or insincere. Consider using more specific and nuanced language to convey your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spread the love" primarily functions as an idiomatic expression. It serves to encourage or promote acts of kindness, generosity, and positive feelings towards others. As shown in Ludwig examples, it's used in diverse contexts from charity work to personal relationships.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Huffington Post

10%

Less common in

The Guardian - Travel

1%

The Guardian - Sport

1%

Los Angeles Times

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "spread the love" is a common idiomatic expression used to encourage kindness, generosity, and positivity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts. While versatile, it's best suited for informal to neutral registers and should be used judiciously to avoid overuse. Alternatives like "share the love", "extend kindness", and "promote goodwill" offer more nuanced options for formal writing. This expression is prevalent in news, media, and general online content, reflecting its widespread understanding and application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

share the love

Focuses more on sharing an existing feeling of love rather than actively distributing it.

show affection

Emphasizes demonstrating feelings of love and care through actions or words.

extend kindness

Highlights the act of being kind and considerate to others.

promote goodwill

Focuses on fostering a positive and friendly atmosphere.

foster compassion

Emphasizes cultivating feelings of empathy and concern for others.

practice empathy

Focuses on understanding and sharing the feelings of another.

offer support

Highlights providing assistance and encouragement to others.

give generously

Emphasizes the act of giving freely and abundantly.

be charitable

Highlights the act of donating to organizations or people in need.

cultivate positivity

Focuses on developing a positive attitude and mindset.

FAQs

How can I use "spread the love" in a sentence?

You can use "spread the love" to encourage kindness and generosity, such as "Let's "spread the love" by volunteering at the local shelter" or "During the holidays, we should all "spread the love" and help those in need".

What are some alternatives to "spread the love"?

Alternatives include "share the love", "extend kindness", "promote goodwill", or "foster compassion". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "spread the love" in formal writing?

While "spread the love" is widely understood, it's generally more appropriate for informal contexts. In formal writing, consider using more sophisticated alternatives like "promote goodwill" or "encourage generosity" for a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "spread the love" and "share the love"?

"Spread the love" implies actively distributing kindness or positivity, while "share the love" suggests dividing an existing feeling or resource. For example, you "spread the love" through acts of service, but you "share the love" by spending time with loved ones.